The Mesquite Community Education Foundation may have just pulled off its first event in record fashion with their Spring Fling at Virgin Valley High School on March 21.
More than 100 people showed up for a fundraiser that will dedicate funds solely for VVHS scholarships to ensure that more students have the chance to pursue a college education.
“We want to thank the community for their generous hospitality and donations,” said Justin Ludvigson, the emcee for the event. “It is incredible how much support there is from the Virgin Valley for our students. They’re our future, and the ongoing support for them is just amazing.”
In addition to ticket sales, a donation from Bank of Nevada for $2,500 was announced as well as other outside donations from people who were unable to attend the event. Tickets for raffle prizes donated by local businesses were
sold and a silent auction was held which featured art and wood pieces from the current students in those classes. Overall, more than $5,000 is estimated to have been raised in the inaugural event.
The evening kicked off with performances by the VVHS orchestra, jazz band, choir and a group of storytellers. Dinner was prepared by Chef Chris Noone and his students in the culinary arts classes, consisting of chicken, pasta, garlic bread and salad and a dessert of cake or cannoli.
Judge Ryan Toone also took a few moments to tell the story of how education began in the Virgin Valley nearly 100 years ago and how it was almost wiped out by a flu epidemic in 1918 but survived. “Education has always been important in our valley. Getting a higher education can make all the difference,” said Toone. “I would like to express my appreciation for the good work our teachers are doing for our students here. I also appreciate each one of you being here and supporting the good work they’re doing here.”
It would be nice if they included students from Beaver Dam High School too. Traditionally this part of Arizona has been included in the Virgin Valley. If any of the board members were from here for more than a generation they would have known that.
The Mesquite Community Education Foundation is a foundation formed specifically for Virgin Valley High School, not the Virgin Valley. They board itself was only formed in 2016. It was formed by a few concerned residents of Mesquite.
View On magazine gives a very good description of the foundation and their purpose: http://viewonmagazine.com/2017/12/29/virgin-valley-high-school-scholarships/
Perhaps a concerned group of Beaver Dam residents might want to consider having/forming their own foundation for Beaver Dam students. They are different school systems, different states and different communities. I’m sure if Beaver Dam would hold their own fundraisers, many of the Mesquite residents would love to help support them; they do on the Beautification project and the Christmas Parade/Bazaar.