By JIM LUKSIC
The Progress
Under the big top of Virgin Valley High School, the Mesquite Community Education Foundation (MCEF) scholarship fundraising dinner – dubbed “The Circus Comes to VVHS” – took place on Tuesday, March 19.
Inside the VVHS Student Center, the organization served up food, entertainment, and gifts, thanks to the organization’s dutiful president, Darlene Nelson. She founded the organization in 2016 to help students in need of learning and scholarships.
“It’s under control and going well,” Nelson said on Tuesday night, noting 150 tickets were sold for the annual event.
The circus theme was well reflected in the venue’s decorations – such as boxes of popcorn atop red-and-white tablecloths.
Nelson was assisted by many board members, namely Judy Brackle, a Colorado “snowbird” who has been with MCEF for five years. “I like working with the kids,” Brackle said, while greeting attendees at the entrance.
Jump-starting the gala was Justin Ludvigson, no stranger to microphones at local events. He welcomed the guests and thanked Nelson, who followed up by introducing her family members visiting from Las Vegas.
Behind the emcee was a stage elevating members of the VVHS band and choir, Half Notes (an ensemble comprising local women), and the Mesquite Men’s Choir – all of whom stood before a backdrop stating “Welcome to the Show.”
Conducting business was music director Marie Palmer, who told The Progress there were seven students performing along with the aforementioned grown-ups. “It’s good for kids to know they can continue to perform when they’re older,” she said. “The students like to sing with adults.”
Before the sound of music materialized, Palmer announced that the selections were expected to be in tune with the event’s theme, “but there aren’t many circus songs out there.” Even so, the participants began with a pleasant rendition of “Send in the Clowns.”
Among the faces in that crooning crowd was that of omnipresent Nelson, which didn’t surprise Ludvigson.
“I can’t ever say ‘no’ to Darlene. She has a way of convincing people to help,” said Ludvigson, who serves as VVHS girls flag football assistant coach and as branch manager for SecurityNational Mortgage Co.
Meanwhile, his brother Yori – from Big Lud’s BBQ based in St. George, Utah – was dishing out food in the form of marinated chicken breasts, pulled pork, and salad.
At an adjacent table was a cornucopia of gifts for the silent-auction raffle. Gifts up for grabs included a microwave oven, a carpet cleaner, baskets and bags of treats.
In addition to their choral contributions, VVHS students also provided art, culinary items, and decorations – though the spectacle wasn’t school-sponsored.
“Once you get involved, you find out it’s fun. I see the results of the kids’ hard work,” Ludvigson said.
