Favorite Sons & Daughters

Alex Torres graduated June 22 from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes Naval Base in Great Lakes, Ill.

His unit achieved Hall of Fame status for its performance. Torres also received a sharp shooter ribbon and a National Defense Service medal.

A 2011 graduate of Del Sol High School, he is the son of Sue Palombo and grandson of Ron and Judy Hohenstein of Las Vegas.

Vanessa Aviles has been awarded a $500 scholarship from Angel Park Golf Club.

A graduate of Arbor View High School, she earned a 4.66 grade-point average and has been involved in gymnastics for 10 years as a gymnast and coach.

Aviles is a freshman at the College of Southern Nevada, with an emphasis on education and math.

Joshua Dycus, 17, has been named senior councilor of the Oasis Chapter of the International Order of De Molay, an organization for males 12 to 21 that teaches leadership skills.

A student at West Career and Technical Academy, Dycus is the son of Jeff Dycus and Angie Ek of Las Vegas.

David Meiser, 15, a member of the Oasis Chapter of the International Order of De Molay, was awarded the Fifth Preceptor Medal and the Lamp of Knowledge for completing all five of the De Molay leadership courses.

He also received the state executive officer's special recognition certificate for communicating the De Molay message and membership work.

David, a student at Western High School, is the son of Christena Longee of Las Vegas.

Patrick Melchionne has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.

A 2009 graduate of Centennial High School, he earned an associate degree from the College of Southern Nevada this year.

Melchionne is the son of Samuel Melchionne Jr. and Marianne Melchionne, both of Las Vegas.

Joseph Smith has been named to the dean's list at Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C., for the spring 2012 semester.

The college's dean's list is composed of full-time students receiving A's in all their courses.

Angelica Bustos earned the title of 2012 National American Miss Nevada Teen at a stage pageant in July. She will represent Nevada in November at a national pageant in Anaheim, Calif.

Bustos enjoys competitive dance, Pilates and student government.

She is the daughter of Amee and Jessie Bustos of Las Vegas.

Allison Bustos earned the title of 2012 National American Miss Nevada Junior Teen at a stage pageant July 7 and 8. She will represent Nevada in November at a national pageant in Anaheim, Calf.

Bustos enjoys playing piano, volleyball, dancing, Pilates, swimming, theater, community service and designing her own shoes.

She is the daughter of Amee and Jessie Bustos of Las Vegas.

Conner Mc Ilveen of Henderson, a student at the University of Evansville in Evansville, Ind., is studying abroad at the university's British campus for the fall 2012 semester. He is majoring in theater.

Mc Ilveen is attending Harlaxton College near Grantham, England.

Jonathan Jensen has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.

A 2011 graduate of Rancho High School, he is the son of Cathy Thompson of Las Vegas and Daniel Jensen of Richfield, Minn.

Edward Hernandez has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.

A 2011 graduate of Canyon Springs High School, Hernandez is the son of Jose Hernandez and Imelda Hernandez, both of Las Vegas.

Jourdan Lasko of Henderson has graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Ga., with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in interactive design and game development.

Geo Muriel has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.

A 2011 graduate of Legacy High School, Muriel is the son of Gina Muriel of North Las Vegas.

Dillon Hutchens has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. A 2010 graduate of Bonanza High School, Hutchens is the brother of Kyle Hutchens of Las Vegas.