Dan Wright, center, presented two checks totaling $5,000 from to VVHS Principal Cliff Hughes, left, and MCEF President Darlene Nelson, right, on Monday. Photo by Linda Faas.

Dan Wright, Mesquite Branch President of Bank of Nevada, presented $2,500 checks to both

Virgin Valley HS Principal Cliff Hughes, and Mesquite Community Education Foundation President

Darlene Nelson. The presentation was made Monday at the high school. The donations represent major steps forward in helping VVHS and its students. Wright credits the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce for initiating that donation.

The Chamber recently gave the bank a check in that amount in gratitude for providing the organization free office space for several years when local businesses were faltering. Wright and his bank felt that putting that money back into community education is the best way for Mesquite to earn a big return on investment.

Hughes gratefully accepted the donation. A new gymnasium is under construction at VVHS, which will provide critical new facilities for the school. The student body has long outgrown its original 25-year-old gym.   Hughes noted that the school is kicking off a major fundraiser next week to furnish the new structure with a scorer’s table, weight room, training room equipment, school graphics, banners, and many other items that are not part of Clark County School District’s financial obligation. A general announcement for the gymnasium fund drive will be made in early April.

Wright was equally pleased to present the second $2,500 check to Darlene Nelson as a solid show of support for graduating seniors who need financial help for their post-high school education.

Nelson is president of the newly-formed Mesquite Community Education Foundation (MCEF) that works to raise community funding for graduates headed to either college or technical school.

MCEF recently sponsored the VVHS “Spring Fling” dinner and performance, attended by 120 guests from the community. Students from the new Culinary Arts classes prepared the excellent buffet dinner. The crowd then enjoyed student performances of jazz, classical, and contemporary music, and theatrical vignettes. Guests donated cash, purchased raffle tickets, and bought student crafts and art. The evening’s proceeds went toward the MCEF scholarship fund. Most importantly, community members saw first-hand the talent and high potential of VVHS students who are the future of Mesquite.

Including Wright’s check, the Spring Fling raised over $8,100 for MCEF. Nelson and the MCEF Board urge Mesquite residents and businesses to take an active part in supporting VVHS and its students as they look toward their advanced education. MCEF is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that is chartered to raise scholarship funds. Public donations of any size are gratefully welcomed. Checks, payable to MCEF, may be sent to Dan Wright, Bank of Nevada, 11 W Pioneer Blvd. Mesquite, NV 89027. Bank of Nevada phone is 702-346-6600.