John Ascuaga’s Nugget Announces 54th Annual Scholarship Recipients - 2009

Reno/Sparks, Nev. – For more than a half-century, John Ascuaga and the Nugget have distributed scholarships to college-bound seniors, making it one of the longest-running programs of its kind in the state. In all, nearly two dozen of the area’s best and brightest students were honored today with an awards ceremony and luncheon in the Poolside Terrace at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. Mr. Ascuaga, along with members of his executive staff including daughter and CEO, Michonne, and son/COO, Stephen, were on hand to greet winners and their families.
This year’s recipients are as follows: Joshua Barbie, Carson High School; Ariel Endacott, Churchill Co. High School; Lauren Matthews, Damonte Ranch High School; Cody Kiser, Dayton High School; Edna Meza, Douglas High School; Michelle Rebaleati, Eureka Co. High School; Andi Bolstad, Fernley High School; Ashley Stein, Galena High School; Angelica Gurrola, Hug High School; Zachary Pruett, Lowry High School; Hui Min Cao, McQueen High School; Kayla Herrera, Bishop Manogue High School; Mercy Gbnejo, North Valleys High School; Craig Nelson, Pershing Co. High School; Kylie Sertic, Reed High School; Alexander Wilson, Reno High School; Charmayne Pommerening, Smith Valley High School; Mayra Ramirez, Sparks High School; Jessica Koptke, Sparks High School; Sophie Glogovac, Virginia City High School; Madison Baker, Wooster High School; Andre Pham, Wooster High School; William Smith, Yerington High School; and Laurel Cooney, Spanish Springs High School.
All winners each will receive a total of $1,000, based on continued enrollment and maintaining a minimum grade-point standard. Applications were reviewed by the Nugget Scholarship Committee and evaluated on scholastic achievement, financial need, community involvement and extra-curricular activities. Since 1956, the Nugget’s scholarship program has awarded more than $400,000 dollars in educational monies to nearly 600 area students. Past winners can be seen in an interactive kiosk located in the Nugget’s hotel lobby.
John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a premier hotel casino owned and operated by the Ascuaga family in Sparks, Nevada. For more information, call 800-648-1177 or visit janugget.com.