Donations Sought To Help With 2021 MV Graduation Plans

By VERNON ROBISON

The Progress

Plans are already underway for the 2021 Moapa Valley High School graduation celebration. And it promises to be every bit as grand and as community-oriented as the one held last year.

The Moapa Valley Community Education Advisory Board (MVCEAB) has assembled a small committee of parents to plan the events. And once again, they are asking for the community’s help in making the graduation ceremonies and surrounding celebrations something to remember for local graduates.

“Last year, with the pandemic, it was kind of a sudden thing that the Class of 2020 lost the last third of its senior year,” said MVCEAB Chairwoman Wendy Mulcock. “But in a lot of ways, this year’s class has had it even harder. They have missed most of the year, a lot of the sports and traditions that go on with it. All those milestones that kids look forward to during their senior year have been lost. So we are wanting to, in some small way, make that up to them just a little bit with this celebration of their achievement.”

The 2021 graduation ceremony is being planned for Wednesday, May 26 this year. Just like last year, the event will be a drive-up graduation ceremony. It will begin with a parade-like procession from downtown Overton to the Logandale Sports Complex parking lot where the ceremonies will be held beginning at 7:30 pm.

But this year, since COVID restrictions are somewhat looser, there will be some happy changes to the plans. Graduates will be able to sit together rather than being separated in their own vehicles. In addition, each member of the MVHS Class of 2021 will be able to walk across the stage to be individually recognized.

Since the festivities will, once again be fully planned and carried out by the community, the MVCEAB is seeking donations from local residents and businesses to help pay the expenses of the celebration.

“Last year things were so last minute that we just did it and figured out how to pay for it later,” Mulcock said. “The community was so generous and, as always, people came through for our kids. It was wonderful!”

But this year’s event poses a different problem. With more time to plan the celebration, funding is needed further in advance to make the various arrangements for the event.

“We have already received some donations from a number of very generous people in the community, and that has helped us get started,” said Mulcock. “But it won’t be near enough for the whole thing. So we are asking the community to help again with donations.”

The MVCEAB is partnering with the Moapa Valley Education Foundation (MVEF) for that fundraising effort. The MVEF is a local non-profit organization set up to accept community gifts, endowments and donations for local educational needs. Donors can give directly to the MVEF and specify that their donation is for graduation this year. This has the added benefit of making all donations tax deductible to the donor.

“In times like these, it really becomes clear that we live in a very special place,” Mulcock said. “People come together and help in situations like this and it makes amazing things possible. We saw that last year where we sent out the plea for help and then watched the miracles unfold. It turned out wonderful. And we are sure it will be the same for this year’s kids as well.”

Donations to the MVEF graduation fund can be made through the online payment platform Venmo by scanning the QR code printed with this article. Alternatively, donation checks may be sent to MVEF; PO BOX 1306, Overton, NV 89040.

For more information on making donations, email MoapaVEF@gmail.com