MCCEF SCHOLARSHIPS: The Mitsubishi Cement Corporation Educational Foundation handed out nearly $50,000 in student scholarships this year. Photo by Peter Day
The Lucerne Valley community went above and beyond as local businesses, residents, school staff and more gave a total of $115,868 in senior scholarships.
“It’s always amazing to see how this community comes together for our kids!” said Lucerne Valley Middle High School Principal Jason Story as he announced the scholarship numbers on Wednesday, one day after high school’s annual Senior Awards Night event.
But, Superintendent Peter Livingston noted, that number is likely to continue climbing as the counting continues. “That scholarship amount is great! Add in the donations yesterday for the senior baskets and it’s even higher!”
PRESENTERS: First Foundation Bank's Brooke Diegmiller, center, and Alicia Crowell, were joined by Lucerne Valley teacher Cindy Lazenby in presenting the community scholarships. Photo by Peter Day
Mitsubishi Cement Corporation Educational Foundation
Once again, as it has done for decades, the Mitsubishi Cement Corporation Educational Foundation led the way, giving thousands of dollars in scholarships. Altogether, MCCEF gave nearly $50,000 worth of scholarships to 20 LVUSD high school seniors. Scholarships ranged from $500 to $2,500. Senior Zoey Davis received the coveted Bud Biggs Memorial Scholarship, named in honor of the late H.O. “Bud” Biggs, who was the longtime plant manager at the local Mitsubishi Cement Plant and a strong advocate of local education. Her scholarship was for $3,000.
Besides scholarships, the MCCEF gives “Mini-Grants” to Lucerne Valley teachers throughout the school year to Lucerne Valley teachers for projects or programs. In addition, the Lucerne Valley USD named the elementary school’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) laboratory in honor of Biggs in 2018, one year after he passed away.
Mitsubishi Plant Manager Tony Turner and another MCCEF representative presented the awards.
This year’s MCCEF Scholarship winners (including already graduated seniors who are receiving scholarships for more than one year):
Arelyn Gonzalez, Chayanne Mendoza, Cheyenne Flowers, Edyn Herrera, Jadyn Paddack, Jasmine Torres, Jose Ledezma, Meilani Nguyen, Rylee Giles, Zoey Davis, Elissa Otwell, Ian Collins, Kevin Angeles, Riley Rodriguez, Aydin Stewart, Dylan Hileman, Isaiah Navarro, Jacob Palmerin, Jasmin Suarez, Jennifer Acosta Cervantes, Samuel Arreola, Valentin Garibay, William Rietdyk, Xitali Contreras.
Read about the AWARDS portion of the Senior Awards Night here.
Lucerne Valley Community Scholarships
Brooke Diegmiller and Alicia Crowell of First Foundation Bank and teacher Cindy Lazenby presented most of the community scholarships to the students with some being presented by the donors themselves. Brooke thanked the community for all of their support and generosity. Later, Brooke, Alicia and Cindy were presented with bouquets of flowers for presenting the scholarships.
A number of businesses and organizations have shown their steadfast support of Lucerne Valley schools and Tuesday’s event was no exception.
They are Cafe 247, the Lone Wolf Academy, Above All Pest Control, American Legion Post 879, Bar-H Well Drilling, China House, Church of Our Lord and Savior, CNC Shop, CVS Stock Farm - Silver, Dedicated to Those Who Protect and Serve, DeSilva Construction, Divine Revelation Truth Ministry, the California School Employees Association, Corner Hay and Feed/Gaeta Family, Country Eggs, Crossroads Chapel, Expert Appliance, First Foundation Bank, Giles Construction, Gubler Orchids, Hansen Family/H&H Dirtworks, HD Fab Inc., Hi Grade Materials, James Terrell Attorney at Law, JJ’s Restoration Service, Johnson Valley Improvement Association, Kir Scot Goods, Low Priced Auto Parks, Lucerne Valley Assembly of God, Lucerne Valley Chamber of Commerce, Lucerne Valley Lions Club, Lucerne Valley Market and Hardware, Lucerne Valley Moose Lodge 2096, Lucerne Valley Properties, Lucerne Valley Realty/Lynn Family, Lucerne Valley Roadrunners, Lucerne Valley Youth Program, the Lunch Ladies, Lucerne Valley Teachers and Staff, Otwell Welding and Fabrication, Quality Construction Services, R&R Towing, Race Pace Preparations, Raul’s Illegal Taco Stand, RDA Architect, Sharon Brunner Attorney at Law, Silver Dollar Ranch - Shuler Family, Solomon Well Drilling - Anonymous, Sound of Silent Spirits, Specialty Minerals, Triangle Truck Parks, USA Septic, Vacation Pools, VFW Post #5551, Victor Valley Marketing Group, Wesley Wild Woodworks and Women of the Moose #1538.
In many ways, the heart and soul of the scholarship giving comes from the individuals and families that reach into their pockets and share whatever they can. Here are the individuals and families who donated this year:
Amador & Bree, Brooke and Family, the Cerveny Family, Chen Family, Chuck Bell In Memory of Julia Bell, Corley Family, Darrell Dahlem, the Eller Family, Foster Family, Harriet Calfy, Harris Family, Hartwell & Corbett Family, Kay and Dennis Hall, Lance Hall, Lattin-Oliveira IMO Bill & Dorris Lattin, Leroy Lebarre, McDougall Family IMO Bob & Gert McDougall, Memorial of Hector E. Lugo, Otwell Family, Peter Livingston, Reed Family, Richards Family, Riddle Family, Risler Family, Roland and Teresa Reyes Family, Ron and Ann Lazenby, Sheila and Jim Byrne, Sherry Hardin, Vanessa Jones, Vernell McGinnis, Vici Miller IMO Richard Miller.
SCHOLARS: The recipients of L.V. Community Scholarships along with presenters gathered for a group photo.
K&K Rocks
Two tragic events still dwell within the hearts of Lucerne Valley school community members.
The first was in June of 2021 when four school mates were hit by a driver while walking on Rock Springs Road. Three of the girls — Willow Sanchez, 11, Daytona Bronas, 12, and Sandra Mizer, 13, — died. A fourth girl, Natalie Coe, survived and is set to graduate. Less than one year later, in April of 2022, students Kayden Davis and Kristy Klaus, both 16, were killed when the car they were in was hit by a drunk driver at Camp Rock Road and Highway 247. It was Kristy’s birthday on that day.
Through the grief arose a call for caring and remembrance. The families of Kayden and Kristy started a Facebook page with some rocks a family member painted and showcase them traveling the land “for them to be remembered and still share stories and meet new people, as they were funny, beautiful, and oh so loved.”
Many people have shared their painted rocks on the page, and today the public group has more than 2,000 followers. Recently people have shared photos their colored rocks from Jamaica, Elk City, OK., North Bend, Or., Sea World, Mammoth Mountain and many more.
During the scholarship event in Sgt. Brian Walker Memorial Gymnasium the Klaus and Davis families took to the stage to hand out scholarships to a number of students.
The families of Kayden Davis and Kristy Klaus gave an emotional presentation and handed out several student scholarships. Photo by Peter Day
Zoey Davis
Senior Zoey Davis, sister of Kayden, has been a guiding force on the LVMHS campus for years. Over 6-feet tall, with long blonde hair, Zoey’s presence is noticed immediately. She has been a star on the volleyball and soccer teams, and she was selected as a president of the Lucerne Valley FFA Chapter for 2024-25. Later during the awards portion of the Senior Awards Night celebration she would be recognized as a Top 5 student in the Class of 2025, but when scholarships were handed out, no other student was rewarded as much for their commitment to their school, class, and general pursuit of excellence as Zoey.