"Whether is awarding scholarships to local students or building a community park, Pardee Homes has strong ties to the communities in which we build homes," said Rob Tuvell, regional sales director for Pardee Homes. "That includes Southern Nevada, where we have been building homes and communities for nearly 60 years."

Created in conjunction with the builder's 50th anniversary in Southern Nevada in 2002, the Pardee Community Building Scholarship supports high school seniors who demonstrate an interest in home building and community development and plan to attend an accredited college or university in Nevada.

Since Pardee Homes began its scholarship with the Public Education Foundation, the company has awarded more than $350,000 in scholarships to more than 80 Clark County students, including the recent awarding of $7,500 in scholarships to five local students who are interested in careers in home building and community development, according to Tuvell.

This year's scholars will receive $1,500 for each of four years that they continue to qualify for the funds. Recipients include Leo Agpawa of Valley High School, Sehee Chung of Sierra Vista High School, Christian Cisneros of Basic High School, Jourdan Rowsell of Durango High School and Roland Santos from Foothill High School.

Working with the Public Education Foundation, students were invited to submit a typed essay related to development in Las Vegas. Each student also had to demonstrate a strong record of academic achievement as well as involvement in extracurricular community and student activities.

"Pardee builds homes, parks and communities, while schools help build good citizens who will allow these communities to flourish for many years," Tuvell said. "This philosophy is at the heart of Pardee's continuing support of education in Southern Nevada."

For more information, visit pardeehomes.com.