Santa Monica Close-up

(top) Eighth-grader Jonathan DeLaCruz, 12, (a student from the After-School All-Stars Los Angeles) participates in a spelling bee before the screening of 'Akeelah and the Bee,' during the sixth annual Santa Monica Drive-In at the Pier movie series on Tuesday, August 19, 2008. (above) Guest watch 'Akeelah and the Bee,' (the first of five films) on the Santa Monica Pier. Five free films in the series will be played weekly through Sept. 19. After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles (ASAS-LA), Founded by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2002, is a leading middle school after-school program provider whose programs educate, enlighten and inspire thousands of middle school aged youth each day through after school activities centered around health, fitness and nutrition; the visual and performing arts; and youth leadership and community service learning.