Scholarships awarded for community project

Thursday, June 3, 1999 | 10:28 a.m.

Four Southern Nevada high school juniors have been awarded Discover Card Tribute scholarships.

The students were recognized for their accomplishments in four of five areas: special talents, leadership, obstacles overcome, unique endeavors and community services.

Local winners are:

Gold ($2,500), Jeffrey Walker of Green Valley High School; silver ($1,750), Richard Gautier of Vo-Tech High School and Zuri Langhorn of Valley High School; and bronze ($1,250), Ryann Russell of Palo Verde High School

Walker, who as the gold winner is eligible to compete for nine national scholarships, founded "2000 Tomorrows," a program designed to inspire high school students to create service projects that meet community needs.

He wrote a 34-page Planning and Report Book, which details how to assess community needs, develop appropriate service projects, recruit students to volunteer and implement the projects.

As a result of his efforts, more than 6,000 high school students participated the first year in projects involving battered women's shelters, abused children, drug abuse prevention, teen pregnancy, clothing drives and environmental cleanups.

In recognition of his efforts, Walker received, along with more than 100 other youth volunteers from across the nation, a Prudential Spirit of Community Award at a ceremony in May in Washington, D.C.

Discover Financial Services and the American Association of School Administrators sponsor the Discover Tribute scholarship awards. The Nevada Association of School Administrators coordinated the panel of judges who reviewed applications from throughout the state. The judges represented area communities as well as the state's education and business sectors.