David Rib of the Mitsubishi Cement Corp. Education Foundation announced that the MCCEF would be giving $2,000 scholarships to 13 Lucerne Valley High School seniors along with the $3,000 Bud Biggs Memorial Scholarship. Altogether the MCCEF Scholarships amount to as much as $124,000 over four years, he said.
If times are tough, the many generous donors who gave scholarships to a number of Lucerne Valley High School seniors didn’t get the message as a record $53,160 was given during the annual Senior Awards Night on May 20th.
“Tonight’s event is one of the most enjoyable events of the year,” said Nate Lambdin, who serves as Assistant Superintendent and Co-Principal with Kelly Boeing. “In partnerships with local businesses, organizations and donors we are able to acknowledge and financially assist many of the students from Lucerne Valley High School’s Class of 2022.”
The Scholarship portion of the event was handled by Brooke Diegmiller of First Foundation Bank with and teacher Cindy Lazenby. Co-principals Mrs. Boeing and Mr. Lambdin and school counselor Kevin Barda assisted. Ms. Diegmiller shared a brief description of the Lucerne Valley Academic Scholarship Committee, which was created 27 years ago by Julia Otwell. In 1995 the community collectively raised more than $11,300.
“With the generosity of the community, the scholarship program has thrived with this being our highest year yet at $53,160,” Ms. Diegmiller said, adding that the scholarships are going to 23 LVHS students who will be attending trade school or college.
Some donors made their donations personally. They included Billy and Shannon Irwin of Lone Wolf Colony, Kathy and Alyn Nielsen of Cafe 247, John Miller, and David Rib, Environmental Manager of the Mitsubishi Cement Plant, who presented $29,000 worth of scholarships on behalf of the Mitsubishi Cement Corporation Education Foundation. With all MCCEF scholarships being renewable for up to four years, the scholarships amount to as much as $124,000.
“We’re very proud to participate year after year,” said Mr. Rib during the MCCEF Scholarship Presentation. He gave $2,000 scholarships that are renewable for up to four years to Wyatt Perry, Daisy Alonzo, Lizbeth Avelar, Sabrina Cortes, Andrea Garcia, Jasmine Nguyen, Joscylyn Nichols, Elissa Otwell, Autumn Peterson, Melody Picco, Robert Rietdyk, Cadence Russ, Levar Timmons.
The $3,000 Bud Biggs Scholarship was awarded to Landon Lindner. The award is also renewable up to four years. “The foundation found (Landon) to have the best application, the best academic performance, activities and future aspirations,” Mr. Rib said.
Earlier in the event, as Mr. Lambdin introduced student cadet Evan Herriman who led the Pledge of Allegiance, the assistant superintendent asked for a moment of silence to honor the gymnasium’s namesake, the late Sgt. Brian L. Walker, and the five girls whose lives were tragically lost during the last year.
Superintendent Peter Livingston and several members of the district’s governing board were in attendance. Mr. Lambdin also asked the staff, which he called one of the best in the High Desert, to stand and be acknowledged. He also asked the generous donors in attendance to stand, and he thanked those who participated in the recent Senior Basket event, which was organized by school board President Jessica Risler.
The following are all of the individuals and organizations that gave scholarships to the graduates:
AAA Builders, All American Auto, American Legion Post #879, Anonymous, Bar-H Well Drilling, Brooks and Family, CSEA, China House, Chuck Bell in memory of Julia Bell, CNC Shop, Corley Family, Corner Hay and Feed, Crossroads Chapel, CVS Stock Farm, Dedicated To Those Who Serve and Protect, DeSilva Construction, Eller Family, Expert Appliance, First Foundation Bank, Foster Family, Gaeta Family, Giles Construction, Hi Desert Egg/Country Egg, Hi Grade, In Memory of Daytona Bronas, In Memory of Hector E. Lugo, J&M Construction, USA Septic, Jean Morgan In Memory of Diane Holland, Kiwi Sandals, Lattin-Oliveira Families In Memory of Bill and Doris Lattin, Leroy LeBarre, Lone Wolf Colony, Lucerne Valley Chamber of Commerce, Lucerne Valley Community Scholarship, Lucerne Valley Grange, Lucerne Valley Lions Club, Lucerne Valley Market & Hardware, Lucerne Valley Moose Lodge #2096, Lucerne Valley Properties, Lucerne Valley Realty, Lucerne Valley Roadrunners, Lucerne Valley Youth Program, LVUSD Lunch Ladies, LVUSD Teachers, Miller Family, Mitsubishi Cement Corporation Educational Foundation, Moretz Mobile, Otwell Family, Otwell Welding and Fabrication, Peter Livingston, R&R Towing, Race Pace Preparations, Riddle Family, Ron and Ann Lazenby, Sheila Bryne, Sherry Hardin, Solomon Well Drilling, Sound of Silent Spirits, Teresa Reyes, Broker, Vernell McGinnis, VFW Post #5551, Vici Miller In Memory of Richard Miller, Wolf Mountain.
