By JIM LUKSIC
The Progress
The table is set for the Mesquite Community Education Foundation (MCEF) scholarship fundraising dinner from 5 to 8 pm on Tuesday, March 19, at Virgin Valley High School.
The event, known as The Circus Comes to VVHS, takes place in the school’s Student Center.
“Our whole goal is to raise money for seniors to continue their schooling – whether it be college, trade school, beauty school, nursing, or anything else they would like to make a career out of,” explained Paul Wanlass, a member of Mesquite City Council and the MCEF board.
Darlene Nelson, MCEF’s founder and president, established the organization circa 2016 with her cap set toward helping students in need.
“I noticed some kids didn’t have a means to go beyond high school education,” said Nelson, who initially thought of the idea while helping VVHS kids with reading comprehension. “I was happy to be a tutor. I realized how many high school seniors couldn’t get scholarships.”
She described her mindset as “very much in tune” with serving students and asserted the Foundation’s board members make all decisions together. All told, the group has given more than $100,000 “because we have such a great community,” Nelson noted.
As part of the March 19 fundraiser, musical entertainment comes courtesy of the VVHS band, Half Notes and the Mesquite Men’s Choir. Although the occasion isn’t school-sponsored, students will play significant roles by contributing art, culinary items such as popcorn, and decorations.
“The Interact Club will help distribute our flyers and seek donations,” Nelson said.
Tickets for the crusade cost $30 for an individual; $45 per couple; and $150 for a table of six. There’s also a silent-auction raffle, for which a ticket is $5. All tickets are available at the Mesquite Rec Center on Old Mill Road or at Danielle’s Chocolates & Popcorn on Mesquite Boulevard.
Wanlass is all for the educational crusade. “I think anything we do to help kids further their learning is advantageous to this community,” he said.
