Junior League honors women at local benefit

The Junior League of Las Vegas had its seventh annual benefit March 6 at Bellagio's Tower Ballroom.

The evening honored two women who have made a visible difference in our community. Longtime community volunteer and League sustainer Dedee Nave and community advocate Carolyn Goodman, president and founder of The Meadows School.

Guests, including former U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan and Bonnie Bryan, Donna and Michael Levy, Deni and Steve Conrad, Jeanne Greenawalt, Sue and Leo Borns, Nancy Gasho-Fromm and Bill Fromm, Judy and Brad Beal, Rhonda Evans, Madeleine and Donna Andress, Betsy Rhodes Carole and Norm Terry, Maria and Ted Quirk, Tammy and Chris Peterson, Caty Crockett, Lore Gochnour, Laura Fritz and Mike Weber, Lisa and Sandy Windom, Sally and Gordon Rycroft, Sharon Schmitt, and Mary Ann Rivera, were greeted by Bonnie Winkleman, Junior League active president.

During the silent auction, members of the World Jazz Studies program at Las Vegas Academy performed. Seating for dinner took place around a large dance floor to carry out the event's theme of "Dancing in the Desert," fashioned after the TV Show "Dancing with the Stars."

Featured were local stars, Collette Wieland (KVBC-TV, Channel 3 and League member), Lauren Murphy (KVVU-TV, Channel 5 and League member), Calvert Collins (KLAS-TV, Channel 8 and League member) and Michael Neal (of KSNE-FM, 106.5). They rehearsed for weeks with Arthur Murray professionals for their dance competition in preparation. Guests made monetary votes to select the winner.

Local florists and decorators donated table centerpieces that also raised funds for the League's many community projects. Winning the floral competition was Naakiti Florist, followed by Floral Essence and Decor by Tom Meyer.

Introducing the two honorees were Mayor Oscar Goodman, U.S. Reps. Shelley Berkley and Dina Titus and Alisa Nave Worth. Dedee Nave received the Junior League Lifetime Community Achievement Award, and Carolyn Goodman received the Florence Lee Jones Humanitarian Award.

Among the 300 guests enjoying the evening were Saundra Richardson, Barbara Stout, Lynn Sommers, Tara and Justin Shiroff, Debbie Swissman, Linda Richardson, Bobbie and Lenny Gang, Las Vegas councilman Stavros Anthony and Bernadette Anthony, Heidi and David Straus, Page and Hank Hawkin, Virginia Maurer, Marilyn MacCollum, Jaymie Morris, Sally and Larry McKinney, Janet and Don Buchanan and Helen Foley.

Assisting gala chair Emily Sullivan was Heather Allen, Ashley Bowers, Jennifer Burt, Calvert Collins, Tina Hamilton, Shay Hathaway, Susan Kashani, Kristine McKay and Tiffany McMillan.