CCHS students awarded $1.7 million in scholarships

Churchill County High School hosted on May 9 its annual Scholarship and Academic Awards Night in the auditorium.

The group of 50 seniors has currently been awarded 169 scholarships for more than $1.7 million not including the Nevada Promise or Millennium scholarships.

Twenty-two seniors and 36 juniors also received their academic letters at the ceremony. Students must have four consecutive semesters with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher to qualify.

Librarian and scholarship coordinator Holly McPherson said CCHS maintains a robust collection of scholarships offered by the companies and families in the community.

“We appreciate their generosity year after year and are always looking for new community partners to help support our graduates who will be attending college or trade school,” she said.

McPherson added the seniors should be proud of themselves and their achievements.

“None of these seniors would have been offered scholarships if they hadn’t worked hard the last four years,” she said. “They applied themselves all the way through high school and now they get to start seeing those efforts pay off for them in real, tangible ways.”

McPherson wasn’t the only staff member to promote scholarships. CCHS School-to-Career Coordinator Sue Segura reached out to the seniors who were interested in the vocational programs offered by Nevada Gold Mines and Great Basin College.

Segura organized presentations and guided interested students through the resume, application and interview process.

“I am thankful for the spark Sue has ignited within our school community,” McPherson said.

McPherson is also thankful to those who helped her organize and conduct the annual Scholarship and Academic Awards Night.

"Brody Allyn (2023-24 student body president) did an amazing job as our master of ceremonies,” she said. “It’s not easy learning all the pronunciations for the donors, scholarship names and student names.”

Additional supporters for the event included Maile Munoz, Ashley Adams, Nicole Holt, Renie Knittle, Colleen Tschumperlin, Sherry Martin, Kaitlin Ritchie, Keith Bryska, Chase Johnson, NJROTC cadets and the CCHS culinary students.

Principal Tim Spencer and Vice Principals Rachel Knight and Reema Pulsifer presented some of the awards and Vice Principal Joe Wood organized donors behind the curtains.

“On behalf of the entire CCHS staff, we would like to take this opportunity to commend all of you on your achievements,” Spencer said. “We know the road ahead of you all is even brighter than the one you are leaving behind.

"May the receipt of these scholarships and academic letters serve as a foundation for future success no matter what pathway you choose to follow after high school. It has been our pleasure to be a part of your journey.”