Students awarded $500 scholarships at summit

When Superintendent Caroline McIntosh first began planning the Lyon County School District student summit, she thought it would be a good idea to give away a $500

scholarship.

But when district officials went to the community to get donations, they ended up with enough money to fund 10 of them at $500 each.

"We made some calls and people were more than willing," McIntosh said. "They wanted to invest in (the students') futures."

Seniors who attended Saturday's summit were admitted in a drawing. One student's name was drawn from each of the county's five high schools. The other five were drawn at random.

Megan Booth, a senior at Silver Stage High School, was chosen.

"I'm really just shocked," she said after her name was called. "I've been trying to get a job to raise money. This helps a lot."

She said she plans to attend Western Nevada College then transfer to a university to pursue a degree in criminology.

Eighteen seniors from Smith Valley High School attended the summit in hopes of being one of the lucky few.

"We all want an education," said Yessica Castaneda, 18. "A lot of us don't have a lot of money. Free money for college is a big help."

One of their own, Katie Ellis, 17, was picked for the award.

"That's awesome," she said. "It will definitely help a lot. My mom's a single mom, so it's going to be tough, but I think it's going to happen."

Ellis plans to become a nurse then a pediatrician.

McIntosh said this group will be a pilot program to see if the scholarships increase student success after high school.

"We'll track these kids and see what they're doing," she said. "Did it give them that emphasis and push ... to go to college?"