NV Energy exec honored by nonprofit

Jonathan Halkyard received the 2013 Civitas Laurel Award during the Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow's annual benefit, Notte di Carnevale, Jan. 12 at Caesars Palace.

The Civitas Laurel Award is presented to an individual who uses his or her talent to serve the community. Halkyard, NV Energy's chief financial officer and executive vice president, is a member of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Nevada Ballet Theatre, Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and the National Center for Responsible Gaming. He and his wife, Kari, have three sons.

The Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow helps motivated unemployed and underemployed Nevadans to gain skills through mentoring, education, training and employment preparation so they can get jobs to help make their families self-sufficient. As of last year, FIT was able to help 1,200 clients.

Foundation founder and CEO Janet Frasier Blumen was joined by her husband, Andrew Blumen, in greeting board officers Richard Jost, Karen Cashman, Dan Anderson, Elliott Eisner and directors Wayne Cassard, James Kropid, Kristin McMillan, Ed Rivera, Joyce Sherman and Juanita Wasserman.

Participating in the silent auction and enjoying the gourmet dinner and dancing were Barb and Tom McDonald, Robyne and Randolph Townsend, Carolyn Sparks, Karen and Bill Goff, Judy and Jim Kropid, Irais and Robert Kolesar, Dawn Gibbons, James Hooban, Judge Adriana Escobar, Bob Fisher, Florence Jamison, Parvin Modaber Jacobs, Kathy and Skip Foster, and Cindy and Chuck Petersen.

Also, Gae Basch, Linzel and Daniel McBride, Tom Axtell, Janet and Steve Linder, Jewel Brooks, Joe Hollis, Marybel Batjer, Laura Hoenemeyer, Jay Barrett, John O'Reilly, Ginger and Dan Anderson, Beverly Daly, Michael Leslie, Szelina Kiss, David Goldwater, Michael J. Brown, Stacey and Dan Albregts, and Ashley and Gina Nitz.

Honoring students: The annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Gala, under the direction of Lillian McMorris, took place Jan. 19 at The Orleans.

The Cheyenne High School Color Guard presented the colors. Madison Kennedy sang the national anthem.

Wendell P. Williams, founder and president of the Martin Luther King Committee, introduced the recipients of the 2012 scholarship: Preston Pierce Scott, Destenee Hogans and Nyla Whalum.

Special recognition went to Caesars Entertainment, MGM Grand Resorts and Cox Communications.

The evening's guest speaker was Gary L. Loster, former mayor of Saginaw, Mich.

The Las Vegas Jazz Ensemble provided entertainment.

Attendees included the Rev. Eric Cole, Tony Gladney, Delois Reece, Mario Berlanga Jr., Ray Herron, Craig Knight, Camila Buechler, and Brenda Williams and Tisha Harris, responsible for 2012 book "Westside School, Our School, Our Community, Our Time."