Highlighting achievements, July 14, 2016 — PHOTOS | Downtown | Local

Military achievement: Jackson Forbes of Las Vegas is a cadet at St. John’s Military School in Salina, Kan. He received the Blue Beret three times last year and has received the rank of sergeant. He is the son of Barbara Forbes and Gary Forbes, both of Las Vegas.

Teacher recognition: Jocelyne Uy, Faith Lutheran Middle School and High School’s Justice & Advocacy Academy director, was honored by Barnes & Noble with the My Favorite Teacher award. The award was based on an essay submitted by Faith Lutheran senior Jake Flandermeyer. Uy leads the award-winning Mock Trial Program at Faith Lutheran. Last spring, Barnes & Noble invited Middle School and High School students to nominate their favorite teacher by writing essays, poems and thank you letters sharing how their favorite teacher influenced them. Barnes & Noble received over 10,000 entries nationwide. Entries were judged based on the influential qualities of the teacher, student’s sincerity, and the quality of writing. Award ceremonies were held locally at Barnes and Noble stores.

Military graduation: Nevada native Hunter Helgren graduated from Marine boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego May 20. He also completed Marine Combat training at Camp Pendleton and is now at Fort Sill, Okla., for artillery training. He is a 2015 graduate of Silverado High School and is the son of Peter and Poppy Helgren of Henderson.

Youth soccer win: The LVSA 02 Red boys Under 14 soccer team won 2-0 over Eastside Timbers Ajax from Oregon June 26 in Boise, Idaho, to win the 2016 U.S. Youth Soccer Region IV Championship. LVSA 02 Red U14 earned a berth to the 2016 U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships, July 26-31, at the Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The Las Vegas team had to beat six teams to get into the finals. The team is coached by Jay Jenne. Visit youtube.com/USYouthSoccer.

Graduations:

— Tracy Bushur, a Las Vegas native majoring in Biology, graduated in May from the San Diego State University Weber Honors College.

— U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Trixie A. Lagas graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. She is the daughter of Arcenio D. and Glendura S. Lagas of Las Vegas and is a 2015 graduate of Rancho High School.

— Douglas Harris of Henderson earned a bachelor’s degree during Chadron State College’s spring commencement on May 7 in Nebraska.

— In May, graduates from Concordia University, Neb., included Gina Jolliff of Henderson and Kristina Schuldt of Las Vegas.

— John P Blake,Gracie Ann McDonough and Taylor Nicole Stueve, all of Las Vegas, graduated in May from Emporia State University in Kansas.

— Las Vegas resident Mekenzie Davila graduated in May from Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C.

— Elizabeth Nicole Schmidt of Las Vegas graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in early May.

— Spring 2016 graduates from the University of Kansas include Valery Herman of Henderson; Karin Lawson, Ellen Raimond, Cameron Rosser, and Hillary Willson, all of Las Vegas.

— On May 7, Graydon Driver of Henderson and Zabrina Zablan of Las Vegas graduated from Azusa Pacific University in California.

— Philip Albuquerque, Craig Farnes and Brittany Renshaw, all of Las Vegas, graduated in May from Ohio Christian University.