Automall gets ready for the holiday season

The Valley Automall is embracing the upcoming holiday season with its 15th tree-decorating contest.

The festive event, benefiting Clark County High School students, takes place Nov. 30 at each of the mall's 20 dealer showrooms.

The top team receives a $3,000 cash prize; second place gets $2,000; third place gets $1,000.

The annual contest plays a pivotal role in helping fund extracurricular student activities.

Clark County schools are facing a $64 million budget shortfall resulting in 1,015 teacher layoffs and larger class sizes. Extracurricular activities, as a result, are facing tough times, too. Budget reductions have eliminated many student clubs and school dances.

"Unfortunately, students are being forced to find alternative funding solutions outside of the school to sustain sports, clubs and debate teams," said Valorie Staley, Valley Automall manager. "Valley Automall is happy to lend a helping hand to preserve this vital component of the high school experience. The tree decorating contest encourages teamwork and creativity, but it also provides money for extracurricular student activities."

The auto mall provides each team with a budget to buy decorations at a store of their choice. Next, the team adorns a 10-foot-tall evergreen inside a specific dealer showroom. Local celebrities will judge the trees.

"Students continually amaze us with their imaginative and inspirational tree creations," Staley said. "This event grows larger each year, with an increasing number of participants. However, space is limited. Interested students should apply immediately."

Entries are now being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Valley Automall will draw one team only from each school. For contest details and entry form, call 568-1487 or email
manager@valleyautomall.com. Interested participants can visit the mall's website at www.valleyautomall.com for images of previous winners.

Valley Automall is off U.S. Highways 93/95 at Auto Show Drive, or the Las Vegas Beltway exit at Gibson Road in Henderson. For more information, visit www.valleyautomall.com.

Valley Automall dealers include Audi Henderson, Chapman Chrysler-Jeep, Courtesy Imports, Courtesy Mazda, Desert BMW, Desert Pontiac-GMC, Findlay Acura, Findlay Cadillac-Saab, Findlay Fiat, Findlay Honda Henderson, Findlay Lincoln, Findlay Toyota, Findlay Volkswagen, Ford Country, Henderson Chevrolet, Henderson Nissan, Lexus of Henderson, Mercedes-Benz of Henderson and Towbin Dodge.