EDUCATION: Summerlin Scholars

The Summerlin Children's Forum presented scholarships to three high school seniors at the sixth annual "Evening of Excellence" event to honor outstanding students, teachers and parent volunteers within the Summerlin educational community.

The event was organized by the forum, whose mission is to reward educational excellence within the master-planned community, and to provide funding for programs that enhance the community's educational environment.

Scholarships were awarded to Janice Treasure of Cimarron-Memorial High School, where part of Summerlin is zoned to attend; and Melissa Robison and Mason Waite of Palo Verde High School, which is within the community. Ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, the awards were based on academic achievement as well as community service. Each student is also a Nevada Silver Scholar award recipient.

Treasure, a member of the National Honor Society, will graduate as valedictorian of her class. She is active in student government and a member of the varsity cross-country team. Treasure has volunteered for such organizations as Opportunity Village and the Salvation Army, and also participated in service projects through her church. She plans to attend Brigham Young University, where she said she will study to become a teacher.

"I have been fortunate to have a number of excellent teachers," Treasure said. "I have been impressed by their passion for teaching, and hope to follow their example to become an inspiring educator."

Melissa Robison will also graduate as class valedictorian. She has served on the student council, organized blood drives at her school and participated in youth group activities at her church. Robison will attend Brigham Young University, where she plans to study to become a pediatrician.

"Once I have accomplished my dream, I hope to be able to give back to the community a little of that which has been given to me," Robison said.

Mason Waite is student body president, captain of the varsity baseball team, and captain of the junior varsity football and wrestling teams. He also is a member of the National Honor Society and Junior Statesmen of America. Waite has volunteered within the community, and is a member of the Boy Scouts. His plans include owning a business and being active in politics. Waite will study at either Stanford University or Brigham Young University.

"I believe knowledge brings truth and understanding," he said. "I have been actively engaged in a number of activities not so that I could write them on a college application, but because I enjoy them. I take pleasure in growing and developing as a person."

Dan Van Epp, president of The Howard Hughes Corp., the developer of Summerlin, said the each recipient represents the best of the today's youth.

"The forum's scholarship endowment is being put to good use," said Van Epp, who founded the forum. "These kids are so talented, so bright and so accomplished. The Forum is proud to help them reach their goals."

Each year, the forum provides more than $50,000 in grants to Summerlin schools.

"Companies that do business in Summerlin actively support the organization by participating in fund-raisers, which keep the grants and scholarships flowing. Supporting the Children's Forum is an investment in the community and its future," Van Epp said.

There are 16 public and private schools in Summerlin, which also features houses of worship, shopping centers, business parks and medical centers. There are also eight golf courses, about 100 neighborhood and village parks, and nearly 100 completed miles of trails. More than 100 model homes are open.

Buyers can choose from single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums priced from the mid-$100,000s to more than $700,000. Custom lots from one-quarter acre to three-quarters of an acre are priced from the $400,000s to more than $1 million, and pre-designed custom homes are priced from $500,000 to more than $1 million. Apartments offer monthly rents starting from the $700s.

Summerlin has ranked as the nation's best-selling master-planned community for nine of the past 10 years. To visit the home finding center, take Sahara Avenue west, past Hualapai Way, to Town Center Drive. Or, take Interstate 215 to Sahara. Office hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

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