Basketball team wins tree-decorating contest
Local high school students recently flexed their decorating skills during Valley Automall's 13th annual Holiday Tree Decorating Contest. The event took place Dec. 1 inside each of Valley Automall's 18 dealership showrooms. Entries will remain on display through month's end.
"This year's creations exemplified team spirit, holiday inspiration and creativity," Valley Automall Manager Valorie Staley said. "Student competitors worked together to deliver some stunning tree designs that embody the season."
Sierra Vista High School's girls basketball team beat 17 competitors to win this year's $3,000 first-place prize. The winning team will use a portion of the money to underwrite team equipment costs, as well as sponsor an event called Slam Dunk Cancer Night. The winning tree is entitled "Deck the Halls with Basketballs" and features sports-themed decorations. Basketball netting and Sierra Vista's mascot Mountain Lions are cleverly festooned around the tree. The colorful basketball-topped tree is available for viewing at Findlay Lincoln Mercury at 310 N. Gibson Road.
Las Vegas High School's National Honor Society was this year's runner-up with a gaming- and entertainment-inspired tree design. The second-place evergreen is covered in playing cards and poker chips, and flanked by a miniature version of the iconic "Welcome to Las Vegas" neon sign. The school received a $2,000 prize for its creative efforts. Society members will use the money for a year-end trip, as well as charitable donations. The tree is on display at Mercedes-Benz of Henderson at 925 Auto Show Drive.
Third place went to Foothill High School's Varsity Dance Team for its military-themed tree. It's adorned with stars-and-stripes ribbons and handmade ornaments supporting the toy drive for Marines Corps families. The team will spend its $1,000 prize to help pay for school events and team uniforms. The tree is decked-out in patriotic red, white and blue, with small American flags. The third-place winner is being showcased inside Desert BMW of Henderson at 261 Auto Mall Drive.
Contestants received a decorating allowance and a 10-foot evergreen tree. Entries were judged by a five-person panel that included: KVVU-TV Fox 5 personalities Monica Jackson, Maria Silva and Les Krifation, Dr. Nancy Alamo from Clark County School District, as well as Frank Nolimal from Assurance Ltd.
The yearly event has distributed thousands in prizes over the years, aiding underfunded high school extracurricular programs. Students use earnings to defray club travel expenses and field trips, purchase club equipment and fund school dances, among other things.
"This event continues to generate great community involvement and excitement," Staley said. "The contest plays a pivotal role in aiding and supporting local schools."
The Valley Automall is the world's largest auto mall, with thousands of new and used vehicles. For more information, go to 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 Honda Henderson, Findlay Lincoln Mercury, Findlay Toyota, Findlay Volkswagen, Ford Country, Henderson Chevrolet, Henderson Nissan, Lexus of Henderson, Mercedes-Benz of Henderson and Towbin Dodge.
