Newsmakers, July 3-9, 2014

Susan Lednicky was recognized as an honorary life member of the American Culinary Federation Chefs Las Vegas for her dedication to the organization and Chefs for Kids program. Lednicky is program officer for the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and chairwoman for the Chefs for Kids program’s annual dinner and auction. The program is a partnership between the cooperative extension and ACF Chefs Las Vegas.

Army Reserve Pvt. Chelsea Erickson, 18, graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Erickson is the daughter of Christine Erickson of Henderson. She is a 2013 graduate of Las Vegas Academy and is enrolled at UNLV as a biochemistry major and in the ROTC Program.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Randy J. Callaway graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Callaway is the son of Duane J. and Helen J. Callaway of Las Vegas and is a 2012 graduate of Shadow Ridge High School.

Air Force Airman Vincent M. Kerr graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Kerr is the son of Patricia C. LeCompte of Las Vegas and grandson of Virginia Kerr of Chicago.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Chenelle A. Murphy graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Murphy is the daughter of Calvin and Heidilisa A. Murphy of Las Vegas and is a 2013 graduate of Silverado High School.

Karina Gonzalez was named the local first-place winner in The Art Institute of Las Vegas’ Passion for Fashion Competition in the Fashion Marketing & Merchandising and Retail Management category. Gonzalez, a senior at Colegio Nuestra Senora del Pilar, earned a $3,000 tuition scholarship to study in a fashion program at The Art Institute of Las Vegas.

The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada named Las Vegas native Hektor Esparza as youth resource specialist. Esparza will work under the supervision of The Center’s Youth services manager to conduct outreach to and implement programs, services and special events for LGBTQ and allied people ages 13-24. As an artist, cultural writer and creative personality, Esparza’s background includes creating the cultural skateboarding program at the Winchester Cultural Center, creating and developing the nonprofit Push Forward and maintaining a career as a freelance author, magazine editor and newspaper columnist.

The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada named Diana Bennett, Wynn Resorts, Fred Keeton, HRC Las Vegas Steering Committee, and David “Bootsy Carmichael” Heckman and Rob Haggard as The Center Honors recipients for 2014.

City Lights Artists’ Co-op announced Katy L. Poole as the recipient of a 2014 $1,000 scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to a student who plans to pursue a career in the visual arts. Poole is a recent graduate of Silverado High School.

Emily Buer of Las Vegas graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis in May.

Jonathan Ou and Pyline Tangsuvanich of Las Vegas graduated from Rice University in Houston on May 17.

Katie Campo of Las Vegas made the spring 2014 Dean’s List at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D.

Joseph Lanuti of Henderson graduated from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, N.M., on May 24.

The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina in Charleston, awarded a Gold Star to Cadet Angelica McNerny of Las Vegas for the 2014 spring semester.

Jordy Barry, a junior from Henderson, competed with the Luther College Forensics Speech and Debate team in the Novice National Tournament at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill., on March 14-16. The team placed fourth overall in Division 1.

Christopher Siemasko of Las Vegas graduated from Lake Forest Academy in Lake Forest, Ill. on May 31.

Michael Reed, Scott Casey and Maria Dogaru, all of Las Vegas, graduated from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, on May 11.

Cadet Dillon Berkabile, Cadet Marvin Leo Pagayonan and Cadet Angelica McNerny, all of Las Vegas; and Cadet Cory Yslas of Henderson made the spring 2014 Dean’s List at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, in Charleston.

The following students graduated from the University of San Diego on May 25: Vanessa Cacho, Laura Gruninger, Michelle Powelson, Meliza Trimidal and Daron Willer, all of Henderson; Gabrielle Aldabbagh, Rachel Buntrock, Kellina Chan, Hunter Davidson, Aaron Drizin, Jordan Eaton, Brett Fonfe, Paige Fulfer, Hailey Hirschfeld, Kelsi Koe, Katarina Murzl, Ernesto Reyes-Hernandez, Sampson Simmons, David Sperry, Thanjira Williams and Avery Zyniewicz, all of Las Vegas; and Marissa Ringgold of North Las Vegas.

Air Force Airman Clyde M. Omega graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Omega is the son of Mary Anne M. Omega of Las Vegas and is a 2013 graduate of Desert Oasis High School.

Air Force Airman Deborah M. Gibbs graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Gibbs is the daughter of Deborah L. Dunford and Robert J. Gibbs and granddaughter of Roland and Deborah Roy, all of Las Vegas. She is a 2013 graduate of Cimarron-Memorial High School.

Fernando Rocha and Jennifer Smulo of Las Vegas made the spring 2014 Dean’s List at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.