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Meet Your Neighbor: Meet The Neighbor – Clarice Donnelly
By Callie Thomas
When you were growing up, there was probably one teacher you had that stood out, whether it was for their teaching style or how they inspired you to learn. Students who attended schools in Las Vegas would probably include 89117 resident and educator Clarice Donnelly on that list.
Both Clarice and her late husband Mickey Donnelly trekked from Ohio to Las Vegas thirty-six years ago to become teachers with the Clark County School District. Over the years, Clarice has taught kindergarten and fourth grade, been part of the Reading Improvement Program, worked as an Educational Computing Strategist for two elementary schools, and has opened and served as the Site Coordinator for the College of Southern Nevada High Tech Centers by Palo Verde High School and Western High School. She has also taken on special assignments to train teachers on software to help bring technology into their classrooms. Clarice has also provided counseling services for nine years to middle school students, while her current duties involve serving as Scholarship PLUS Coordinator at The Public Education Foundation.
While Clarice has held her current position as Scholarship PLUS Coordinator for the past two years, she’s supported the program for a decade, coinciding with the death of her husband. Friends wanted to honor his memory since he was a counselor at Johnson Junior High School, the school attended by their two daughters, so the Mickey Donnelly Memorial Scholarship was created. Clarice discusses her involvement with the fund along with other initiatives that inspire, nurture and support the youth of our community.
Tell us about the Mickey Donnelly Memorial Scholarship.
“It goes to a senior who attended Johnson Middle School and will be attending college in Nevada. One of the best parts about working with the scholarship program is seeing these students succeed and hearing their stories.”
Are there any experiences through your work with the Foundation’s scholarship program that you can share?
“Overseeing the Foundation’s scholarship program has been such a fantastic experience. This year, we’re giving out nearly $800,000 to more than 450 students. For many seniors, the Foundation’s scholarships are what make their college dreams possible. One story that sticks out is a 2012 graduate of Cheyenne High School. This student was accepted to Harvard University but was $1,000 short of the required funds to get him there. He was able to obtain the remaining funds through one of the Foundation’s scholarships and is now about to start his sophomore year at Harvard.”
You are also busy overseeing the Foundation’s We R Community Program?
“Yes. The program is currently in fourteen high schools where a high school classroom receives a $5,000 donation and they act as their own nonprofit organization and decide how to grant the funds. They learn how to develop a mission statement and review grant applications. They research, interview and visit nonprofit organizations that support their mission statement, and the class sends grant applications to targeted nonprofits. In May, the school holds an award ceremony to present the funds.”
So is it safe to say that you are passionate about education?
“Well, first and foremost, I am passionate about our daughters. I feel fortunate to have Krista and Kara, who both love and like me. I’m also passionate about working with students who are applying for scholarships and seeing them succeed.”
What are you most proud to have accomplished?
“Being the first in my family to attend college was a huge accomplishment for my entire family. Moving to Las Vegas with my husband and having and enjoying our daughters are my proudest moments.”
If you weren’t in the education field, is there anything else you would like to do?
“I have truly said many times if I had my life to live all over again, I would want to be in Las Vegas and be involved in education. I feel so fortunate to wake up and still enjoy going to work.”
