Pictured are all the LVHS seniors who received MCEEF scholarships. Also pictured are Assemblyman Tom Lackey field representative Iris Gutierrez, left, and Mitsubishi plant manager Tony Turner, right.
CTE (Trade) - Andres Barrita Marinez, air frame & power plant; Dylnn Cagle, automotive mechanic; Eein Hite, welding, mechanic, lineman; Diego Juarez, woodworks, Juan Mendoza Cardenas, engineering; Ryker Simmons, electrician.
Bud Biggs Memorial Scholarship - Itzel Ramirez Tapia, criminal justice.
The Lucerne Valley community handed out more than $100,000 to graduating seniors during the annual Senior Scholarship and Awards night on Tuesday, May 14th with the Mitsubishi Cement Corporation Educational Foundation leading the way with nearly $55,000 of its own. Aside from Mitsubishi, numerous community members from all walks of life donated $52,880.
MCCEF Scholarships
Mitsubishi Cement Plant Manager Tony Turner and Iris Gutierrez, field representative from Assemblyman Tom Lackey’s office presented the MCCEF scholarships. Turner said that MCCEF committee was faced with a difficult task: whittling down the list of applicants from 35 to the final 12 for the academic scholarships and 16 down to 8 for the CTE (trade-based) scholarships. Each scholar received $2,500 to go toward their education or training. Graduating senior Itzel Ramirez Tapia, who is eyeing a criminal justice career, was named the prestigious Bud Biggs Memorial Scholarship and was given $3,000.
Mitsubishi Cement Plant Manager Tony Turner, right, and Iris Gutierrez of Assemblyman Tom Lackey’s office present a scholarship to Kevin Angeles, the class salutatorian.
The MCCEF 2024 scholars:
Academic - Alessandra Aguilar Calderon, medical technician; Yanet Alcazar, Physics; Kevin Angeles, architecture; Austin Balloue, welding/mechanics; Angel Cortes, mechanical engineer; Emilia Daniels, nursing; Emelyn Herrera, science teacher; Shyann Kerestessy, welding; Madison Miller, nursing; Mariah Navarrete, biochemistry; Nathaniel Thomas Bhojwani, civil engineering.
Academic - Alessandra Aguilar Calderon, medical technician; Yanet Alcazar, Physics; Kevin Angeles, architecture; Austin Balloue, welding/mechanics; Angel Cortes, mechanical engineer; Emilia Daniels, nursing; Emelyn Herrera, science teacher; Shyann Kerestessy, welding; Madison Miller, nursing; Mariah Navarrete, biochemistry; Nathaniel Thomas Bhojwani, civil engineering.
CTE (Trade) - Andres Barrita Marinez, air frame & power plant; Dylnn Cagle, automotive mechanic; Eein Hite, welding, mechanic, lineman; Diego Juarez, woodworks, Juan Mendoza Cardenas, engineering; Ryker Simmons, electrician.
Bud Biggs Memorial Scholarship - Itzel Ramirez Tapia, criminal justice.
Community Scholarships
Lucerne Valley High School Principal Jason Story served as the event’s master of ceremonies. Brooke Diegmiller Guillen and Alicia Crowell from First Foundation Bank, and longtime Lucerne Valley teacher Cindy Lazenby handed out the scholarships with the help of donors.
The event had its share of emotion.
Matthew Nielsen of Cafe 247, center, presents a scholarship to a LVHS senior.
Matthew Nielsen, the son of Cafe 247 owners Alyn and Kathy Nielsen gave several scholarships in memory of his father who passed away unexpectedly last year. The Nielsens have given generously to the school district both through scholarships and other ways.
The family of Kayden Davis, who was killed in a traffic collision with classmate Kristy Klaus two years ago, hug an LVHS senior during the scholarship ceremony. The Davises gave several scholarships from funds raised through their Facebook page K&K Rocks, which invites people to share rocks they paint in memory of the girls.
Jody and Kenneth Klaus, parents of Kristy Klaus who was killed in a traffic collision with classmate Kayden Davis two years ago, accepted a gift blanket with photos of their daughter and gave an emotional tribute to the community for their support.
The family of Kayden Davis, who was killed in a traffic collision with fellow sophomore Kristy Klaus two years ago, honored the memory of their daughter who would have graduated this month, by giving scholarships to several seniors funded by their donations made to their Facebook group, K&K Rocks. K&K Rocks serves as an online community that encourages people to paint and share rocks in memory of the girls and others. Later, the family of Kristy Klaus was recognized. Parents Jody and Kenneth Klaus accepted a gift blanket with photos of their daughter and gave an emotional tribute to the community for their support.
The Lone Wolf Colony in Apple Valley gave a scholarship to senior Nathan Bhojwani during a separate event with students from several high schools a few days later.
The following is the complete list of donors to the Senior Scholarships:
Above All Pest Control, Amador & Bree, American Legion Post 879, Bar-H Well Drilling, Brooke and Family, Cafe 247 IMO Alyn Nielsen, CSEA, Cerveny Family, China House, Chuck Bell IMO Julia Bell, CNC Shop, Corner Hay and Feed / Gaeta Family, Country Eggs, Crossroads Chapel, Darrell Dahlem, Dedicated To Those Who Serve and Protect, DeSilva Construction, Eller Family, Expert Appliance, First Foundation Bank, Foster Family, Giles Construction, Gubler Orchids, H & H Dirt Works-Hansen Family, Hartell & Corbett Family, High Grade Materials, High Desert Locations, J&M Construction, USA Septic, Jesus Chavez, JJ’s Restoration, Johnson Valley Improvement Association Inc., K&K Rocks, Kay and Dennis Hall, Kir Scot Goods, Lattin-Oliveira IMO Bill & Dorris Lattin, Leroy Lebarre, Lone Wolf Colony, Lucerne Valley Assembly of God.
Also Lucerne Valley Chamber of Commerce, Lucerne Valley Community Scholarship, Lucerne Valley Fireworks Committee, Lucerne Valley Lions Club, Lucerne Valley Market & Hardware, Lucerne Valley Moose Lodge 2096, Lucerne Valley Properties, Lucerne Valley Realty / Lynn Family, Lucerne Valley Roadrunners, Lucerne Valley Youth Program, Lunch Ladies, LVUSD Teachers & Staff, Memory of Hector E. Lugo, Mitsubishi Cement Corporation, Otwell Welding and Fabrication, Peter Livingston, R&R Towing, Race Pace Preparations, Raul’s Illegal Taco Stand, Reed Family, Richards Family, Riddle Family, Risler Family, Roland and Teresa Reyes Family, Ron and Ann Lazenby, Sheila and Jim Bryne, Sherry Hardin, Silver Dollar Ranch, Shuler Family, Solomon Well Drilling, Sound of Silent Spirits, Triangle Truck Parts, Vacation Pools, Vernell McGinnis, VFW Post #5551, Vici Miller IMO Richard Miller, Victor Valley Marketing Group, Wolf Mountain and Women of the Moose #1538.