News and achievements of Las Vegas Valley residents, Aug. 6-12, 2015

Nicholas Hegedus, 13, a seventh-grader at Schofield Middle School, was diagnosed with Burkitt's lymphoma in 2012. After treatment and a two-year wait for his wish to come true, Nicholas and his family were able to meet President Barack Obama on June 2 due to Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada. Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, the Jabbawockeez and the Schofield student body sent him off June 1. As of May 22, Nicholas was cleared of all signs of cancer.

Troy Guzman Batugal was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve May 23 at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. He is attached to the 345th Military Intelligence Battalion stationed at Jasper, Ala. Batugal received his Bachelor of Science in materials science and engineering and a minor in biomedical engineering from Cornell May 24. He will pursue his Ph.D. studies in bioengineering at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta this fall. Batugal is a 2011 graduate of The Meadows School. He is the son of Dr. Oscar and Preciosa Batugal of Las Vegas.

Clara Buck of Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas represented Nevada as a delegate to the 2015 National Youth Science Camp. Buck joined 100 other top high school graduates representing the United States and eight other countries at the 3½-week program. She is a national merit finalist and plans to attend Carleton College in the fall. She is the daughter of Paul Buck and Maureen King of Las Vegas.

Professionals in Philanthropy announced Ellen Lloyd as the organization's grant writer. Lloyd will be responsible for grant research and writing and nonprofit project management. Most recently, Lloyd served as executive director for Child Focus, a nonprofit agency in the child welfare sector. Lloyd is also a member of the National Grant Professionals Association (Nevada and Utah Chapters).

Southwest Medical Associates congratulates Vice President of Operations Toni Corbin on her 2015 Women of Distinction Award from the Nevada Association of Women Business Owners at its 17th annual Women of Distinction awards ceremony. The award recognizes her work in medical/health care services. Corbin has been with Southwest Medical for 24 years and directly oversees 21 medical clinics.

Benjamin Marx of Las Vegas was named to the dean's list for the fifth consecutive semester at Arizona State University's Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, where he is majoring in technological entrepreneurship and management. Marx, a senior, is the son of Dr. James and Marcia Marx, and is a 2012 graduate of the Adelson Educational Campus.

On June 25, the National Society of High School Scholars recognized student Brittany A. Henricksen of Las Vegas as a new member of the organization. The society recognizes top scholars who have demonstrated leadership, scholarship and community commitment. Henricksen is a student at Northwest Career and Technical Academy and plays travel softball. She is the daughter of Lori Henricksen of Las Vegas.

In honor of World Hunger Day May 28, Sands ECO360° and Sands Cares partnered with nonprofit Three Square food bank to hold the second annual Hunger is Not a Game food drive, a monthlong initiative for team members, that concluded June 8. Team members were challenged to collect 16,000 food items for the donation to Three Square and collected 30,254 food items.

Brandon Peterson and Alyx Phillips, both of Las Vegas, graduated from Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio, in May.

The following students graduated from the University of San Diego May 24: Jeenylen Anquillano, Ryan Awad, Austin Brown, Cameron Brown, Tiffany Carmona, Michelle Cervantes, Alvin Chan, Jasmine Chao, Daniel Crowe, Taylor Fuentes, Stephanie Harrison, Christy Howland, Cory Juelke, Katelyn McCullough, Jenna Palazzo, Rommel Pinlac, Haydee Rojas, Remington Ross, James Ruther, Taylor Todd, Traylor Weiten and Sarah Zentner, all of Las Vegas; Kristen Daus and Madison Harris, both of Henderson; and Keyonni Waring of North Las Vegas.

Army Pvt. Michael C. Carreon graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Carreon is the son of Daryl C. Carreon of Las Vegas and is a 2014 graduate of Spring Valley High School.

Jayde Fair and Angelica Hall, both of Las Vegas, graduated May 10 from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa.

Alexander Everett Watson of Henderson graduated in May from the University of Richmond in Richmond, Va.

Jessica Reed of Las Vegas made the spring 2015 dean's list at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa.

Kelsea Breanne Au, a junior at Green Valley High School, joined the Instrumental Program of the Chautauqua Music Festival during its 2015 summer season. She studies violin performance and science and is the daughter of Mitchell and Jee-Sun Au.

Chase Leaders of Las Vegas made the 2015 spring dean's list at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio.

Air Force Airman Blaine J. Asuncion graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Asuncion is the son of Angela Duran of Honolulu and Rodolfo T. Asuncion Jr. of Mililani, Hawaii. He is the stepson of Larry Duran of Las Vegas and is a 2012 graduate of Durango High School.

Jena Chavez of Henderson graduated from California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Air Force Airman Michael C. Broyles graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Broyles is the son of Michael J. Broyles and grandson of Margarette E. Goodwin of Henderson and is a 2014 graduate of Foothill High School.