A group of graduating Lucerne Valley High School seniors received nearly $100,000 in scholarships during the annual Senior Scholarship and Awards night.
Mitsubishi Cement Corporation Educational Foundation led the way by contributing nearly $45,000 of the financial pie, a Lucerne Valley Unified School District official said.
“Aside from Mitsubishi, numerous community members from all walks of life donated $52,880 of the total,” district spokesman Peter Day told the Daily Press.
Day explained that the evening was filled with emotion as the family of Kayden Davis, who was killed in a traffic collision with fellow sophomore Kristy Klaus nearly two years ago, honored the memory of their daughter who would have graduated this month.
Kayden’s family gave scholarship money to several seniors via donations made to their Facebook group K&K Rocks, which serves as an online community that encourages people to paint and share rocks in memory of the girls and others.
Kayden’s younger sister, Zoey Davis, who plays sports, was also recently named the FFA president, Day said.
Kristy Klaus was recognized as her 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.
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 through scholarships and other ways, Day said.
Mitsubishi Cement Plant Manager Tony Turner and Iris Gutierrez, field representative from Assemblyman Tom Lackey’s office presented the Mitsubishi Cement Corporation Educational Foundation scholarships.
Turner said that the scholarship committee was faced with a difficult task as they whittled down the list of applicants from 35 to the final 12 for the academic scholarships and 16 down to eight for the career and technical education scholarships.
Each scholar received $2,500 toward 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.
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During a separate event, the Lone Wolf Colony in Apple Valley gave a scholarship to senior Nathan Bhojwani along with students from several high schools
For more information and to view a complete list of scholarship donors, visit lucernevalleyusd.org.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
