College scholarships give students a helping hand

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Pete Atkinson has found a new way to help the community.

The president of Black Mountain Community Bank in Henderson and his wife have been foster parents for almost 25 years. Now, he's reaching out again.

Atkinson, through the bank, has established two scholarships for Nevada State College students.

"We were looking for kids that really needed it and really would take advantage of it," Atkinson said. "I don't think we could have found two better candidates."

Stacy Wald, who is studying mathematics and secondary education, is the first recipient of the Walker Brothers Memorial Scholarship. This award is named for Brandon Walker, 13, and Jeffrey Walker, 7 , who were killed more than 10 years ago when their family's van was hit by a truck driven by a driver under the influence.

Wald said she wrote an essay as part of the scholarship application and believes that her community service helped her win. She said she helped build a home in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina and started a church for the homeless at Morrell Park.

The 18-year-old said she knew she wanted to be a math teacher after her high school math teacher showed her that learning could be fun.

"I was having a hard time in school, my parents divorced, and we moved to Henderson," Wald said. "My math teacher made it so easy and so much fun to go to class every day."

Wald works for the Henderson Parks and Recreation Department and in the mall to help her mother pay bills, in addition to paying for college.

"It's just so awesome," Wald said of the scholarship. "It's just a blessing. It helps out so much."

The second scholarship was awarded to Sarah Cox, a pre-nursing major. The Mike and Carolyn O'Callaghan Nursing Scholarship was named for former Gov. Mike O'Callaghan and his wife, Carolyn. They both died in 2004.

"I am so honored to represent such amazing people," Cox said.

Atkinson said he chose education and nursing for scholarships because Clark County needs educated candidates in both professions.

"The students will have a long-term impact on our community," said Fred Maryanski, president of Nevada State College.

Cox said she plans to stay in the area after she receives her degree.

The Boulder City resident has volunteered at the long-term care unit of a local hospital. She helped with meals, called Bingo numbers, took patients to their rooms and read to them. The time she spent at the hospital helped the 18-year-old earn high school credits and graduate a year early.

"I didn't always want to be a nurse," Cox said. "I really bonded with the nurses when I had my daughter (two years ago)."

Cox said the scholarship has helped her balance time between her daughter and school.

"I never have to worry now," she said. "I know I'm going to have the Pell Grant and this scholarship."

"Scholarships are critically important to helping our students continue their education," Maryanski said.

The $20,000, which will be split by the two students, is being supported through the Henderson Community Foundation, a nonprofit corporation that provides resources and support to improve the health, education and quality of life in Henderson.

"When we started (the foundation) in 2002, we asked, 'What can we do to support the community?' " said James Green, president of the Henderson Community Foundation. "Scholarships was one of the suggestions. It's nice to see an idea come to fruition."

Each scholarship will be awarded annually, and as these recipients graduate, Atkinson hopes to award incoming freshmen. The recipients will receive $1,000 per semester for up to eight semesters.

"I hope these are the first of many scholarships we give," Atkinson said. "I'm hoping through the Henderson Community Foundation, we can convince other small businesses to squeeze money out."