Senior Scholarships Top $100,000

 

 

Mitsubishi Cement Plant Manager Tony Turner and Iris Gutierrez, field representative from Assemblyman Tom Lackey’s office presented the MCCEF scholarships. Turner said that MCCEF committee was faced with a difficult task: whittling down the list of applicants from 35 to the final 12 for the academic scholarships and 16 down to 8 for the CTE (trade-based) scholarships. Each scholar received $2,500 to go toward their education or training.  Graduating senior Itzel Ramirez Tapia, who is eyeing a criminal justice career, was named the prestigious Bud Biggs Memorial Scholarship and was given $3,000.

 

 

The MCCEF 2024 scholars: 
Academic - Alessandra Aguilar Calderon, medical technician; Yanet Alcazar, Physics; Kevin Angeles, architecture; Austin Balloue, welding/mechanics; Angel Cortes, mechanical engineer; Emilia Daniels, nursing; Emelyn Herrera, science teacher; Shyann Kerestessy, welding; Madison Miller, nursing; Mariah Navarrete, biochemistry; Nathaniel Thomas Bhojwani, civil engineering.

CTE (Trade) - Andres Barrita Marinez, air frame & power plant; Dylnn Cagle, automotive mechanic; Eein Hite, welding, mechanic, lineman; Diego Juarez, woodworks, Juan Mendoza Cardenas, engineering; Ryker Simmons, electrician.

 

Bud Biggs Memorial Scholarship - Itzel Ramirez Tapia, criminal justice.

 

Lucerne Valley High School Principal Jason Story served as the event’s master of ceremonies. Brooke Diegmiller Guillen and Alicia Crowell from First Foundation Bank, and longtime Lucerne Valley teacher Cindy Lazenby handed out the scholarships with the help of donors.

 

The event had its share of emotion.

 

 

Matthew Nielsen, the son of Cafe 247 owners Alyn and Kathy Nielsen gave several scholarships in memory of his father who passed away unexpectedly last year. The Nielsens have given generously to the school district both through scholarships and other ways. 

 

The family of Kayden Davis, who was killed in a traffic collision with fellow sophomore Kristy Klaus two years ago, honored the memory of their daughter who would have graduated this month, by giving scholarships to several seniors funded by their donations made to their Facebook group, K&K Rocks. K&K Rocks serves as an online community that encourages people to paint and share rocks in memory of the girls and others. Later, the family of Kristy Klaus was recognized. Parents Jody and Kenneth Klaus accepted a gift blanket with photos of their daughter and gave an emotional tribute to the community for their support.

 

 

Other notable scholarship gifts were made by Chuck Bell in memory of his late wife Julia Bell, a former Lucerne Valley educator and school board member; First Foundation Bank, which oversees the community donations; the Lucerne Valley Chamber of Commerce, which requests new members make a donation to the LVUSD; the Lucerne Valley Community Scholarship; the Lucerne Valley Roadrunners, which for many years has held community fundraisers for Lucerne Valley children; Lucerne Valley Youth Program, which also donates money through fundraisers; the Lunch Ladies, who are the schools’ food service workers who give scholarships; LVUSD Teachers and Staff; organizations such as the American Legion Post 879, CSEA, Crossroads Chapel, Lucerne Valley Assembly of God, Lucerne Valley Fireworks Committee, Lucerne Valley Lions Club, Johnson Valley Improvement Association, Lucerne Valley Moose Lodge 2096, VFW Post #5551 and Women of the Moose #1538; and local businesses such as Lucerne Valley Market & Hardware and High Grade Materials.

 

The following is the complete list of donors to the Senior Scholarships:

 

 

Also Lucerne Valley Chamber of Commerce, Lucerne Valley Community Scholarship, Lucerne Valley Fireworks Committee, Lucerne Valley Lions Club, Lucerne Valley Market & Hardware, Lucerne Valley Moose Lodge 2096, Lucerne Valley Properties, Lucerne Valley Realty / Lynn Family, Lucerne Valley Roadrunners, Lucerne Valley Youth Program, Lunch Ladies, LVUSD Teachers & Staff, Memory of Hector E. Lugo, Mitsubishi Cement Corporation, Otwell Welding and Fabrication, Peter Livingston, R&R Towing, Race Pace Preparations, Raul’s Illegal Taco Stand, Reed Family, Richards Family, Riddle Family, Risler Family, Roland and Teresa Reyes Family, Ron and Ann Lazenby, Sheila and Jim Bryne, Sherry Hardin, Silver Dollar Ranch, Shuler Family, Solomon Well Drilling, Sound of Silent Spirits, Triangle Truck Parts, Vacation Pools, Vernell McGinnis, VFW Post #5551, Vici Miller IMO Richard Miller, Victor Valley Marketing Group, Wolf Mountain and Women of the Moose #1538.

 

See SENIOR AWARDS