Valley Automall announces holiday tree winners

Local high school students recently flexed their decorating skills during Valley Automall's 14th annual Holiday Tree Decorating Contest. The event took place Dec. 1 inside each of Valley Automall's 19 dealership showrooms. Entries will remain on display through month's end.

"This year's creations exemplified team spirit and holiday inspiration," Valley Automall Manager Valorie Staley said. "Student competitors worked together to deliver some stunning tree designs that embody the spirit of the season."

Coronado High School's Habitat for Humanity Club beat out 18 competitors to win this year's $3,000 first-place prize. The winning team will donate the cash prize to the local branch of Habitat for Humanity, which is dedicated to providing low-income, affordable housing. The winning tree's design theme, "Home for the Holidays," features handmade, brightly colored ornaments decorated with information about the homeless and housing conditions for Southern Nevada. The inspirational tree is on display at Lexus of Henderson at 7736 Eastgate Road.

The runner-up tree, meanwhile, can be seen at Desert BMW of Henderson at 261 Auto Mall Drive. Bonanza High School's Senior Class Student Council nabbed second place this year with its Christmas extravaganza tree design. The Bengal-themed evergreen, after Bonanza's school mascot, features brown and gold angels, adorned with homemade Bengal ornaments that sing the school's theme song. The tree base is lined with homemade wrapped gifts. The school received a $2,000 prize for its efforts, which will be used toward funding the senior prom.

Third place went to Sierra Vista High School's girls basketball team for its Santa Paws theme. The design consists of blue, white and gold colors, with basketball jerseys, reindeer and a candy cane hoop. The team is spending its $1,000 third-place prize on basketball tournament travel expenses, as well as sponsoring a Slam Dunk Cancer Night. The tree is being showcased inside Towbin Dodge at 275 Auto Mall Drive.

All contestants received a decorating allowance and a 10-foot evergreen tree. Entries were judged by a four-person panel that included KVVU-TV Fox 5 personalities Elizabeth Watts and Doug Johnson, Clark County School District's Dr. Nancy Alamo and Brandon Clark from the Local Ultimate Fighting Championship.

The annual event has distributed thousands in prizes over the years, aiding underfunded high school extracurricular programs impacted by school budget deficits. Students use earnings to defray club travel expenses, 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 through these hard times."

The Valley Automall is located off U.S. Highways 93/95 at Auto Show Drive, or the Las Vegas Beltway exit at Gibson Road in Henderson. See more details at its website 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, Findlay Toyota, Findlay Volkswagen, Ford Country, Henderson Chevrolet, Henderson Nissan, Lexus of Henderson, Mercedes-Benz of Henderson and Towbin Dodge.