Cyndi Loza

Conscious Lifestyle is looking to invest in Nevada youth who are interested in social entrepreneurship, human rights and the environment.

The nonprofit organization is seeking youths who exhibit a commitment to social responsibility in areas such as human rights, animal welfare and the environment to provide them with up to $1,000 in seed money, Web space, mentoring and other resources to support new or ongoing projects.

In the past, Conscious Lifestyle projects have included:

• An environmental organization that converted school vehicles to run on biodiesel;
• A socially responsible product-design firm run by engineering students, which provided high-quality services for nonprofit organizations at affordable prices;
• An initiative committed to socially responsible investing on campus.

Students can download an application from at consciouslifestyle.org/2008ventureapp and must submit it by Aug. 1. Winners will be chosen by an executive committee of Conscious Lifestyle staff members and announced Sept. 1.

The organization aims to empowers students and schools to be more socially responsible through training high school and university students to make lasting contributions. The growing organization currently supports 14 student-led ventures nationwide, recently launched an alumni program and offers an accomplished group of mentors for students wanting to make a change.

For more information, please visit ConsciousLifestyle.org or call Mike Del Ponte, Founder and CEO of Conscious Lifestyle, at 925-360-4149.

Honorable mentions

People who have distinguished themselves recently in education:

No good deed goes unrewarded at Kohl’s department stores.

Through the eighth annual Kohl’s Kids Who Care Scholarship Program, four local youths received $50 gift cards, recognition and a chance to receive $1,000 regional scholarship in July. The program was part of the store’s nationwide initiative to reward youth who perform good deeds in their community.

“Young people are transforming our communities through volunteerism and service activities that benefit others,” said Julie Gardner, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Kohl’s in a written statement.

The winners were:

• Spencer Trapp, 17, of Carson City;
• Rachael Lambin, 18, of Gardnerville;
• Ashlee Smith, 9, of Reno;
• Tatiyanna Owens, 17, of Sun Valley.

Five Wooster High School students were recognized for receiving the Class Act Award from KRNV Channel 4 at the Washoe County School District board meeting last week. The award honors students who have shown exceptional work in the community and in the school district. The recipients of the award were Monica Morales, Madison Baker, Jessica Rasmussen, Lanie Patten and Gloria Mariscal.

Stead Elementary School educator Megan Hardy was recognized for receiving the Excellence in Education Award from KRNV Channel 4 at the Washoe County School District board meeting on Tuesday.

Marilyn Morton was presented the Exceptional Volunteer Award at the Washoe County School District board meeting on Tuesday. The award recognizes a volunteer in the school district who has donated at least 100 hours of unpaid work for the success of all school children.