The Mitsubishi Cement Corporation Education Foundation (MCCEF) is finalizing its scholarships for Lucerne Valley Unified School District Seniors, which will be announced at Friday’s graduation ceremony.
Originally the deadline for application of the scholarships was pushed into June due to school closures. Now, with Lucerne Valley High School holding a drive-in, one-of-a-kind graduation ceremony, the Foundation has moved its scholarship awards up to be able to announce the award recipients at the ceremony.
An estimated $40,000 will be awarded by the MCCEF Foundation to current and former LVUSD students.
All Lucerne Valley High School seniors applying have applied. Thirteen seniors qualified in Science-based fields of education as they move into their careers. At least $27,000 will be awarded to these seniors. More money will be awarded to former LVUSD students, who have successfully completed their renewal applications, in June.
School district superintendent and MCCEF board member Peter Livingston credited the MCCEF for its ongoing dedication to Lucerne Valley schools.
“The partnership that has been solidified with MCCEF is incredible,” Mr. Livingston said. “Their support to our district is unlike what any other district has. Other districts ask how this partnership was formed. We are beyond thankful for their support.”
Mitsubishi’s scholarships are especially appreciated this year with Lucerne Valley — and other school districts — closing its campuses due to the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
“Of the 28 graduations I have attended this has been the most challenging,” said Tom Courtney, president of the LVUSD’s governing board. “My first thought was these kids will miss it. Then (LVHS senior) Katelynn Miller wrote an open letter about ‘her last.’ It was a heart-breaker, and I said to Peter (Livingston), who was already on it, these kids need a graduation even if we have to throw a party in the desert.”
After much planning by school district and high school administrators, the seniors will have their own, mostly traditional, graduation ceremony.
“We will have one on the 29th of May and as President of the board I will be very proud to accept the Class of 2020,” Courtney said. The announcement of the prestigious Bud Biggs Scholarship also will be made on May 29th at the LVUSD graduation ceremony.
The ‘drive-up’ commencement ceremony will start at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, May 29 at the school’s Ron Peavy Football Field.
The safety of students and their families and staff is the number one priority, according to Principal Nate Lambdin, who also serves as the school district’s Assistant Superintendent. The students will be seated with physical and social distancing protocols in place and each family will have their own designated area, he said.