Museum honors 10 for contributions to local learning

Lied Discovery Children's Museum presented its inaugural Queen of Hearts event honoring nine women and one teen Feb. 2 at Crystals in CityCenter.

The 10 were recognized for their contributions of time, talent, resources and leadership to foster a lifelong love of learning among Las Vegas children.

The honorees included:

■ Michelle DiTondo, senior vice president of human resources for MGM Grand International. She also serves on the advisory board for the American Red Cross.

■ Mayor Carolyn Goodman, founder of The Meadows School and its president until June 2010. She was unable to attend the event because of a previous out-of-state commitment.

■ Robin Greenspun, longtime community advocate and founding president of the Lied Discovery Children's Museum.

■ Joan Lapan, inspired by her husband, pediatrician Joe Lapan, helped fund the museum's first outreach program called House Calls, which educates children about the history of the medical profession.

■ Julie Murray, co-founder of Three Square Food Bank and now involved with The Moonridge Group, a consulting firm that focuses on nonprofits, community building and strategic philanthropy.

■ Oleksandra Ruffin, wife of Treasure Island owner Phil Ruffin, an ardent supporter of the children's museum, believing that education is the foundation upon which a child's future is built.

■ Sonja Saltman, an original museum board member and psychotherapist, co-founded the Therapy Institute, an organization that helps train professionals. She and her husband, Michael Saltman, founded the Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Boyd School of Law.

■ Lindy Schumacher, a licensed certified public accountant who worked with the Lincy Foundation, now invests her time with the Dream Fund at the University of California, Los Angeles that benefits charitable projects in Southern California and Nevada.

■ Dee Snyder, who served many years on the Lied Discovery Children's Museum board of advisers.

■ "Queen in the making" Ellie Smith, 15, who performs at charitable galas and has starred in regional versions of Broadway productions. In between her singing and acting lessons, Ellie visits elementary schools, speaking to students and presenting her anti-bullying music video "Don't Let It Get to You."

Master of ceremonies was entertainer Clint Holmes, who introduced speakers Judy Cebulko, museum president, and Carrie Henderson, event chairwoman.

Holmes also sang a song he wrote, "If Not Now, When," and Ellie sang "Think of Me" from "Phantom of the Opera."

Social House and Southern Wine & Spirits provided light fare and wine for guests including Beth Weinberger, Whitney duBoef, Shari and Tim Wong, Milo Kostelecky, Bridget Phillips, Ed Cebulko, Madeleine Andress, Don Snyder, Shannon Bilbray, Michael Saltman, Jody Ghanem, Mikey Bilbray, Elaine Newton, Barbara Molasky, Mike Sloan, Brittany McCoy, Tiffany White, Peter Poggione and daughter, Paige Poggione.