Menlo School senior finalist in arts competition

Kyle Tessier-Lavigne of Atherton has been selected to compete as a finalist in YoungArts Week, a program put on by the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts.

The Menlo School senior plays classical guitar. He is one of about 150 students chosen from more than 5,000 applicants who are engaged in visual, literary and performing arts.

The finalists will travel to Miami in January to attend master classes with artists, as well as performances and exhibitions.

They will have a chance to win awards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, and be considered for nomination as 2011 Presidential Scholars in the Arts, an honor bestowed upon 20 seniors at a White House ceremony.