The 2008 Greater Nevada Credit Union Community Choice Youth Awards Banquet presented by the MEFIYIfoundation celebrated the excellence of 40 Douglas County youth at Genoa Lakes Golf Club in late May.
Student-athletes were honored for their academic excellence, athletic commitment and community service.
The highlights of this year's banquet included the national anthem sung by Carson Valley Middle School Student Helena Strauss, who also performed another song with Carson Valley Middle School Student Katelyn Barrett during the evening.
The keynote speaker was Terran Hadlock, former Douglas High School student-sthlete who played four outstanding years with University of Nevada soccer.
During her senior season, she led the team to its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
A power point presentation of each award winner was presented and developed by MEFIYI Board of Trustee Mike McLaughlin of RAMAC Industries.
Carson Valley Middle School Student/Athletes Mia Townsell, Molly Lahlum and Maddy Gilbert did a tremendous job of co-hosting the event.
MEFIYI co-founders JoJo and Suzi Townsell expressed that the Douglas County youth deserve an event that recognizes their talents, abilities, ambitions and how they serve the community.
This year's event awarded three $500 scholarships for outstanding senior student athletes.
The Greater Nevada Credit Union Education Scholarships were awarded to David Williams, Gina Pfaffenberger and Luke Wartgow of Douglas High School. Williams will be attending Pepperdine University, Wartgow will be attending Nevada and Pfaffenberger will enroll at Western Nevada Community College.
This is the fourth year the Community Choice Youth Awards Banquet has honored
Douglas County student-athletes.
MEFIYI is honored that Greater Nevada Credit Union agreed to become title sponsor of this year's event for the second year.
The Community Choice Youth Awards Banquet and 2008 MEFIYI programs are supported by grants from NFL Charities, The E.L. Cord Foundation, Robert R. Banks Foundation, Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation and Smallwood Foundation. MEFIYI also wants to thank The Record-Courier, Carson Valley Accounting, Mark and Debbie Williams and David and Susan Semas, Genoa Lakes Golf Club and Brewery Arts Center for their support. We also appreciate Mysta Townsell who volunteered her time and effort throughout the entire evening. Finally, our thoughts are with George and Josie Graham who inspired us to create this event.
Lauren Seymour, Douglas High School
Jessica Vega, Carson Valley Middle School
Madison Parks, Minden Elementary School
Kaycee Battcher, Scarselli Elementary School
Rochelle Seymour, Pau Wa Lu Middle School
Jourdan Burke, Douglas High School
Matthew Tooker, Gardnerville Elementary School
Luke Wartgow, Douglas High School
Amanda Wartgow, Carson Valley Middle School
Alexis Weaver, Carson Valley Middle School
Brittney Makara, Whittell High School
Karin Sharon, Whittell High School
Aspen Abbott, Faith Christian Academy
Katie Dry, Carson Valley Middle School
Brennen Collins, Carson Valley Middle School
Michael Magno, Douglas High School
Bethany Wurster, Carson Valley Middle School
Micky Murphy, Kingsbury Middle School
Baylee Robinson, Gardnerville Elementary School
Ariah Barth, Pinon Hills Elementary School
Christine DuPuis, Douglas High School
Shannon Hubbard, Pau Wa Lu Middle School
Daniel Lundergreen, Carson Valley Middle School
Brett Parks, Carson Valley Middle School
Clara Ritger, Douglas High School
Amelia Ritger, Carson Valley Middle School
Shelby Louie, Douglas High School
Nicole Mehrer, Douglas High School
Mikayla Warner, Zephyr Cove Elementary School
Sage Lyons, Douglas High School
David Williams, Douglas High School
Matt Romanowitz, CC Meneley Elementary School
Gina Pfaffenberger, Douglas High School
Olivia Abbott, Faith Christian Academy
Jessica Lamb, Douglas High School
Taryn Williams, Douglas High School
Jamie Lundergreen, Douglas High School
Whitney Louie, Carson Valley Middle School
Jacob Wartgow, Gardnerville Elementary School
Walker Higgins, Douglas High School
Robert Shawhan, Douglas High School
