By MAGGIE MCMURRAY
Moapa Valley Progress
Local businesses have made a tradition of supporting the community’s youth with amazing generosity. This is never more evident than at the annual senior awards night at Moapa Valley High School. This year’s senior awards night was held on Tuesday, May 24 in the Ron Dalley Theater.
The evening began when Vice Principal Pledger Solomon welcomed everyone. “I love this ceremony,” Solomon said. “Time flies and it is great to see the success these students have been able to achieve. Everyone has a different idea of success, but when you decide what you want and set your eye on it, nothing can stop you from achieving your goals.”
Local foreign exchange student coordinator Linda Taylorintroduced this year’s foreign exchange students and presented each of them with a diploma.
Katherine Hannig presented the Grant M. Bowler Pursuit of Excellence Award. She explained the sentimental value this award has to her. “I got this award 60 years ago, so tonight if I have a senior moment, I’m entitled to it.”
This year’s award went to Brynne McMurray who received a beautiful plaque and a $300 cash award.
John Lyon presented the John and Mary Louise Christian Memorial Scholarship to Rachle Lee and Brynne McMurray. He was followed by Charlie Cooper who presented the senior class officers and student body officers with certificates and thanks for their service.
MVHS Athletic Director Matt Messer presented the Sports Athlete of the Year Awards to Summer Evans and Koby Frei.
Spanish teacher Dallas Larsen presented the 4 year Spanish awards to 3 students, and the 5 year Spanish awards to 6 students.
Greg Thompson presented 18 students with the 4 yr Science Awards. All these students received a special medallion they can wear at graduation.
The American Legion scholarship was presented by Dennis Vance and Darrell Moffatt and went to Dennis Whitmore. Bruce Smith presented the Lysha Marshall Memorial Scholarship to Ryan Brandon and Kelley Marshall.
Karen Alsum presented the “Future Women in Business” Scholarship to Mckenzie Jorgensen, and a Rotary scholarship to Sam Bond, Bailey Kesl, Carli Evans, Andrea Leavitt, Dennis Whitmore, and Jaycee Henderson. She then presented the Anderson Family Trust Scholarship to Chase Drexler.
Next, Candi Evans presented the MV Booster Club scholarships to Devony Cooper, Andrew Beck, McKaela Henrie, Jay Mortensen, and Nathan Barrazza, with a special dedicatory Brent May Scholarship to Dennis Whitmore.
Geniel Ozaki presented the George W. Turner Memorial Scholarship to Koby Frei, and the Overton Power District Scholarship to Riley Fulmer, Mercedes Gale, Brynne McMurray, Hyram McMurray, and Jay Mortensen.
Ozaki also presented the Cal and Tonia Payne scholarship to Amy Waite, and the Leavitt Group Insurance Scholarship to McKaela Henrie.
Dr. Lance Robertson presented the Dr. Phil and Calvin Long Education Trust Scholarship to Ryan Brandon, Evan Hernandez, Ana Patino, Hannah Sheldon, and Natasha Ortiz, and the MVPAC Scholarship to Kaleigh Hill, Alexis Leavitt, Hannah Rust, Rachle Lee, and Ivan Parra.
Cindy Hardy presented the Clark County Farm Bureau Scholarship to Brynne McMurray and Bailey Kesl, and the Darrell and Arlene Waite Family Scholarship to McKaela Henrie, Kelley Marshall, and Amy Waite.
McDonald’s presented their scholarship to Takota Bateman. Lins Marketplace presented their scholarships to Sam Bond, Karsen Cardinal, and Josue Gonzales. They were followed by Amy May presenting the Rodney and Edna Leavitt Memorial Scholarship to Andrea Leavitt, Casia LaCroix, and Garrett May. Smith Lynne Charities presented scholarships to Devony Cooper, Bailey Kesl, Andrea Leavitt, and Marya Hoffman presented the MV Art Guild Scholarships to Summer Evans, Jaycee Henderson, and Cheyenne Johnson.
The Robison/Sandoval Scholarship went to baseball player Koby Frei.
School counselor Rendel Esplin presented the MV Community Scholarship to Gerardo Hernandez and the MV Ag Scholarship to Natasha Ortiz. Jason Adams presented the Wes Adams Memorial Scholarship to Gary Pratt, who also received the MVHS Rodeo Club scholarship. Then Greg Thompson again came to the podium and present the National Honor Society Award to Natasha Ortiz.
The “M” Powered Awards were given eighteen students. These students’ names were then entered into a drawing and Mckenzie Jorgensen’s name was drawn to receive a scholarship donated by Lance Robertson.
Scott Carson awarded scholarships to the graduating employees of Tiffany’s Pies. These scholarships went to Rachle Lee, Mercedes Gale, Kyra Postma, and Mckenzie Robison. Carson then awarded 4 extra scholarships to Andrea Leavitt, Carli Evans, Brynne McMurray, and Mckenzie Robison.
The last award of the evening was made by Pledger Solomon who presented plaques to Carli Evans, Jaycee Henderson, and Jay Mortensen as class valedictorians, and Brynne McMurray as class salutatorian.
“Remember, if nothing else you are a Moapa Valley Pirate,” Soloman said in closing.
