College money awaiting

Like so many gifts done up in ribbons and bows, scholarships are there for the taking.

But Clark County high school seniors haven't always been eager to claim them.

Last year, the Public Education Foundation, which administers about 80 scholarship programs a year, got 2,838 applications from a pool of 13,000 seniors.

There was a total of 228 scholarship recipients with some students receiving more than one scholarship. Multiple recipients were also awarded scholarships from the same fund.

The turnout was "disappointing," said Shana Venenga, the grant and scholarship coordinator for the Public Education Foundation, which raises money for the Clark County School District.

Venenga said that last year, the Las Vegas Elks Club wanted to award four scholarships to the physically challenged. The club had to settle on two recipients because of the lack of response.

"This is after we reached out to the entire Las Vegas Valley," Venenga said.

The foundation recently sent postcards to every high school senior letting them know that the application deadline for scholarships is Feb. 10. More information can be found at the foundation's Web site, www.thepef.org.

Scholarships range in value from a one-time gift of $500 to up to $10,000 for every year of college. Last year, the total value of the awarded scholarships was $826,000.

Many donors set up scholarships to remember loved ones who have passed away with a minimum gift of $500.

"This is the perfect time of the year to do it," Venenga said.

Venenga, for instance, is setting up a scholarship in remembrance of her father, James Ritchie.

The Epicurean Charitable Foundation, a trade group for local hospitality and culinary professionals, offers the most generous scholarship: up to $10,000 a year for four years of college.

Applicants need a minimum grade-point average of 2.75 to apply and should also demonstrate a passion for hotel and food management, said Marisa Yoneyama, the director of development for the Epicurean Charitable Foundation. Applicants should also have some community service experience.

Last year, the scholarship got 24 applications, Venenga said. She said students don't bother to apply if they know they're not eligible.

"Kids know they have to show experience (in the hospitality industry)," she said. "They can't say they're thinking of making cookies (for a career)."

Catherine Caro, 19, who graduated from Spring Valley High School in 2007, recalled that the competition for scholarships in her senior year was fierce.

"I remember walking in for my interview and seeing a big stack of applications," Caro said. "My heart just sank."

But Caro was the top chef as far as the Epicurean Charitable Foundation was concerned. It gave her a $10,000 scholarship to attend the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y.

The scholarship covers half of her annual tuition. She is eligible for $10,000 each year as long as she maintains a minimum grade-point average of 3.0.

Caro doubts whether she could have gone to the Culinary Institute of America without the scholarship.

"It has made my life so much easier," she said.

Caro dreams "of owning my own restaurant." Working at a resort on the Strip is another possibility, she said.

Scholarship applicants don't always need to be so career-driven or focused. Scholarships available through the Public Education Foundation cover a wide range of interests and eligibility.

The Knights of Pythias offer a scholarship based on community service. The Las Vegas Chinatown Scholarship is awarded to a student of Asian descent with a preference given to those interested in business.

There is even a scholarship for the tall worth $1,000 from the Las Vegas Tall Club. Unlike some scholarships, it's not super competitive.

"You don't have to be a senior with a 4.8 grade-point average," said Lydia Garza, the club's scholarship chairwoman. "Normally, we don't get more than 30 applications."

To be eligible, males must be at least 6 feet 2 inches tall. The height requirement for females is 5 feet 10 inches.

Applicants must bring a doctor's verification of their height to the interview. The interview committee used to measure applicants themselves, but applicants would sometimes dispute the measurements, Garza said.

Applicants are also asked to write about their experiences as a tall person and show some awareness of Marfan Syndrome, a genetic disorder of the connective tissue usually affecting people with long limbs.

The Tall Club is part of an international organization that's both social and political. It's a way for singles to find other tall partners. It has taken on causes like lobbying for bigger airplane seats and longer hotel beds.

Locally, "we wanted to do something for the community, so we started the scholarship," Garza said.

Money is raised through two annual garage sales and some casual fundraising at social events.

As the scholarship coordinator, Garza is used to hearing cracks about how scholarships for the tall are not needed since they already get basketball scholarships.

"Not everybody plays basketball,'' Garza said. Besides, "basketball scholarships are pretty hard to come by."

Venenga realizes there is a gap in the scholarship offerings.

"We don't have a short scholarship, but I'm trying," she said.

Contact reporter James Haug at jhaug @reviewjournal.com or 702-799-2922.