Kudos To Outstanding VVHS Seniors

By VERNON ROBISON

The Progress

Generosity and community support was in rich supply last week as more than $65,000 in scholarships was awarded to members of the Virgin Valley High School graduating class. Local students were recognized at the school’s Senior Awards Night held on Tuesday evening, May 18 in the VVHS auditorium.

VVHS Assistant Principal Jaydel Wilson began the evening by acknowledging that the past school year has been an “interesting” one for this senior class.

In his remarks, Wilson quoted American author Maya Angelou who said, “It may be necessary to go through many defeats so you can know who you are, what you can rise from and how you can still come out of it.”

“As I read that quote, I thought about these seniors,” Wilson said. “The obstacles and challenges that they faced. Yet they have risen above all that in an amazing way.”

Though he was unable to be in attendance due to a shoulder surgery earlier that day, VVHS principal Riley Frei had recorded a brief video which was played during the ceremony. “I give a shout out to each of you (seniors) who have worked very hard to receive those awards,” he said. “I have been very proud as you have made your way through maybe the most difficult era in our school’s history. For that I congratulate you.”

The presentations began with a number of academic awards and recognitions.
Justin Ludvigson presented a National Scholarship of Merit award to one of the VVHS seniors. Ludvigson explained that this prestigious award is based on the students’ performance on the SAT College Entrance Exam. Those students who perform in the top 1 percent in the nation on the exam become semi-finalists for the award, he said.

“Tonight is the first night that we have a finalist in the National Scholarship of Merit,” Ludvigson said. “It pretty much means that the recipient gets a full scholarship, or a free ride, to wherever they want to go to college.”

The award went to Jaden Tan who plans to go to University of Nevada, Reno.

The rest of the program was devoted to presentations of scholarships given by local organizations and businesses.

The American Legion Post 24 Arlo Q Leavitt began by awarding scholarships to Jaden Tan, Ethan Woods and Kyler Worthen.

The Mesquite Police Officers Association awarded two scholarships. The first, for Academic and Future Community Involvement, was presented to Paola Garcia Aguirre. The other one, for Community Leadership, went to Brinlee Waite.

The Rose Marie Princ Memorial Scholarship went to Tyler Jensen.

The Bruce King Memorial scholarship was presented by Christian Adderson. Adderson explained that Bruce King, a former Michigan resident, had been one of the original golfers in the Mesquite Amateur tournament.

“Bruce loved Mesquite very much and he touched many hearts while he was here with his friends,” Adderson said. “His friends wanted his name to live on in Mesquite to give back to this community. That is how the scholarship was born.”
The Bruce King scholarship was awarded to Savannah Cannon.

The DeLos Perkins Memorial Scholarship was awarded by his son Maury Perkins. Maury Perkins explained that his father had spent a distinguished career as a teacher, coach and principal at VVHS.
“Dad was a true Bulldog and dedicated the majority of his professional career to the students in this valley and to the school,” Maury Perkins said.

These scholarship awards went to Kinsli Peterson, Alayna Felix, Brinlee Waite, Savannah Cannon, Alessandro Guzman, Tyler Jensen, Orlando Sandoval, Alley Shaner and Kyler Worthen.
Wilson presented the Joe and Dixie Bowler award explaining that it was a $500 scholarship which required its recipients to attend a first semester of college and earn a certain level of grades before receiving the award. Then Wilson asked all seniors in the room to stand up.

“You all are potential recipients of this award,” Wilson said. “And not only those in the auditorium. They offer this to every senior at VVHS.”

Receiving the Accepting the Challenge of Excellence (ACE) award from the Mesquite Exchange Club was Savannah Cannon.

The Mesquite Elk’s Lodge #2811 awarded scholarships to Ethan Woods, Jaden Tan and Orlando Sandoval.

Mesa View Physical Therapy, Hospice and Homecare awarded scholarships to Ethan Woods, Brinlee Waite and McClain Easton.

The Mesquite Sunrise Rotary Club presented scholarships to Orlando Sandoval, Lydia Clark, Bridger Toone and Kyler Worthen.

Mesquite Tile and Flooring awarded a scholarship to Jordan Memmott.

The Mesquite Western Poets Scholarship was presented to Adam Hilker.

Security National Mortgage presented scholarships to Tyler Jensen, Kynsli Peterson, Jaden Tan, Ethan Woods, Bridger Toone and Alley Shaner.

Overton Power District presented scholarships to Savannah Cannon, Lydia Clark, Jordan Memmot, Jaden Tan, Trishelle Vasquez, Brinlee Waite, Ethan Woods and Kyler Worthen.

The Mesquite Community Education Foundation was represented by board member Dr. Theresa Ofori.
“This year COVID has made things really hard for the students and we are so proud of these graduates,” Ofori said. “It was also hard as a community education foundation to raise funds this year, but we were very innovative in our efforts and so we are presenting 16 scholarships.”

Those went to Daiton Bowler, Lydia Clark, McClain Easton, Alayna Felix, Adam Hilker, Tyler Jensen, Carson Johnson, Edgar Lopez, Jordan Memmott, Shyrie Nice, Jaidaella Rich, Orlando Sandoval, Alley Shaner, Reggie Tran, Brinlee Waite and Ethan Woods.

The Clark County Farm Bureau awarded a scholarship to Elizabeth Goodson.

The VVHS Mentor Scholarship went to Giselle Guerrero.

Primex Plastics awarded scholarships to Zoey Tobler, Orlando Sandoval, Carson Johnson and Paola Garcia.

The Virgin Valley Artists’ Association presented Adam Hilker and Giselle Guerrero with scholarships.

The Bill Lee Memorial Scholarship went to Kynsli Peterson.

The VVHS Faculty and Staff and Fidelity Trust Scholarships were awarded to Autumn Greymountain, Daiton Bowler, Reggie Tran, Callen Creamer, Trishelle Vasquez, Shyrie Nice, Ashley Quirarte, Jacy Santos and Alessandro Guzman.

“I am absolutely amazed by the generosity of our community each year in providing these scholarships for our students,” concluded Wilson. “Every year they step up and step forward. I am grateful to live in such an amazing community that supports our kids and our scholars in such a way.”