Newsmakers, Jan. 1-7, 2015

Amanda Garcia, a seventh-grader at Becker Middle School, won the local and district levels of competition in the 2014-15 Lions Club International Peace Poster Contest. Her poster advanced to the international level of competition. The contest theme was Peace, Love, and Understanding and allowed students ages 11 to 13 worldwide to express their vision of peace through art. Amanda was recently honored at the Summerlin Lions Club Dinner meeting with her art teacher, Lynn Meetz, parents, Phyllis and David Garcia, and grandmother, Sylvia Contreras, present.

Two veterans, Army Specialist Jamie Olson and Army Specialist Larry Lemieux, became the first recipients of scholarships from the Kenneth and Wendy Goodrich CSN Post-9/11 Veteran HVAC Employment Program. An award ceremony took place Dec. 3 at the Cheyenne campus of the College of Southern Nevada. Both graduates of CSN’s Air Conditioning Technology program, the veterans received toolkits containing the items necessary to kick-start a career in the HVAC field.

Air Force Airman Brandon W. Kirsch graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Kirsch is the son of Mark A. and Pamela J. Kirsch of Henderson and is a 2012 graduate of Southeast Career Technical Academy.

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada was the recipient of the 11th annual Toys For Tickets All Star Jam held at Club Madrid at Sunset Station Dec. 7.

Sarah Robello, 20, of Las Vegas, received a full athletic scholarship for Division 1 women’s hockey to Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa. This year, she was named Rookie of the Year twice.

FLINTFACE recently launched a national contest at more than 4,000 middle schools and high schools in the U.S. to raise awareness for bullying prevention. Students were encouraged to submit original works of art that incorporated FLINTFACE’s message of hope and inspiration. Haley Jensen of Centennial High School was chosen as the second-place prize winner for her song “We All Have Meaning.”

The Public Education Foundation held a reception to honor the winners of its holiday art contest Dec. 10 at Blick Art Materials, 290 S. Decatur Blvd. The foundation selected Kaitlyn Ramos, an 11th-grader at Liberty High School, as the first-place winner. The theme of this year’s contest was Shine With Joy. Ramos’ artwork will be featured on the 2014 Foundation holiday card, which is mailed to more than 12,000 community members. Artwork from the first-, second- and third-place winners also is being displayed on the Foundation’s website. In total, 540 students from 23 schools in the Clark County School District submitted entries.

Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican named Larry Barnard as president and CEO of its San Martín Campus.

The Las Vegas Business Academy appointed its 2015 Executive Board, made up of Las Vegas’ top business, hospitality and law industry leaders. They are to begin active duties on Jan. 1. As the LVBA Executive Board transitions, Frank Rigley, former LVBA president and current vice president of food and beverage at Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, welcomes Max Tappeiner, hotel manager at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Las Vegas, as the new president.

U.S. Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Tiana R. Lancaster-Jensen graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Lancaster-Jensen is the daughter of Pamlyn Lancaster of Hilo, Hawaii, and Gary Jensen of Las Vegas and the niece of Delna Lancaster of Las Vegas.

Army Pvt. Ryan A. Parmer graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Parmer is the son of Ryan Parmer of Las Vegas and is a 2011 graduate of Desert Oasis High School.

Air Force Airman Clarence L. Jones graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Jones is the son of Jacqueline and Clarence Jones of Las Vegas and is a 2012 graduate of Veterans Tribute Career & Technical Academy.

Nina Kuzniak of Las Vegas received a Master of Public Policy and Administration degree from California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Calif., in August.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Sebastian L. Henry graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Henry is the son of Christy and John Henry of Las Vegas and is a 2014 graduate of Bonanza High School.

Army Pvt. Marcellus Bridges graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Bridges is the son of Quijuanna L. Gaitor of North Las Vegas and is a 2014 graduate of Canyon Springs High School.

Air Force Airman Tyler C. Prescott graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Prescott is the son of Tracy M. Caballero of Las Vegas and Chad R. Prescott of Monterey Park, Calif.

U.S. Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Brianna Z. Houchin-Samuel graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Houchin-Samuel is the daughter of John G. Samuel of Las Vegas and Patricia A. Steele of Fernley.

The Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad, Calif., named Johnlord Sy of Las Vegas to the honor roll for the second grading period of the 2014-15 school year.

The Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad, Calif., named Duran Heath and Drayson Little of Las Vegas to the dean’s list for the second grading period of the 2014-15 school year.