Newsmakers, June 18-24, 2015

Brittany MacDonald, 18, was named the 2015 Take Steps for Crohn’s & Colitis Honored Hero for being an example to others with digestive diseases or inflammatory bowel disease by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America — Las Vegas Chapter. She has participated in and fundraised for the Take Steps Walk since she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease seven years ago.

Natalie Vaughn, a 17-year-old Las Vegas resident, recently returned from the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. She designed the cover for the book, “East Timor Through A Selection of Ethnographic Artifacts,” that accompanies the East Timor exhibit in Geneva and was invited to attend the exhibit’s grand opening. She also created the image for the grand opening invitations and met several dignitaries during her visit. Her parents are Dr. Philip Vaughn, a neonatologist at Valley Healthcare Systems, and Dr. Ami Vaughn, a retired pediatrician.

During her time at Bishop Gorman High School, Erica Korbel collected items from fellow students and donated them to the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth. A Summerlin resident, she began the end-of-the-school-year supplies drive effort while still a student at Las Vegas Day School. Korbel is set to enroll at Boise State University in the fall and study to become a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. She is the daughter of Lorena and Rick Korbel of Las Vegas.

Gideon Alwood, a 2015 Nevada State High School graduate, recently earned his Eagle Badge. He plans to attend the College of Southern Nevada in the fall to continue working toward his Associates in Science and to assist Troop 238 by leading his fellow Scouts to reach their Eagle Badges. He is the son of Brian and Janine Alwood of Las Vegas.

Ron Drake-Frame, a senior at Sierra Vista High School, has been nominated to attend the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in Boston June 28-30. Drake-Frame was nominated by astronaut Buzz Aldrin, science director of the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists, to represent Sierra Vista based on his academic achievement, leadership potential and passion for science and technology. In addition, the Sierra Vista Orchestra, in which Drake-Frame is a cellist, was selected to compete in the 2016 National Orchestra Festival in Tampa, Fla. The orchestra’s Go Fund Me site is at gofundme.com/sierravistaorch. Drake-Frame’s youngest brother Ramsay Drake has debuted on Disney Junior’s “Muppet Moments.” They are the sons of Marlene and Terrell Drake of Las Vegas.

The Outside Las Vegas Foundation was named a 2015 Outstanding Organization by the Nevada Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board for its advocacy and promotion for the safety of cyclists and pedestrians across Nevada.

Army Pvt. Ivan A. Angvlo graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Angvlo is a 2012 graduate of Clark High School.

Malek Baxter of North Las Vegas and Courtney Dramm of Henderson were offered scholarships and admitted to Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa.

In April, Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, honored Angelica Hall of Las Vegas with the Dominique Hudson Distinguished Service Award and Jessica Reed of Las Vegas with the Madonna Cutsinger Award, Winifred Van Etten Award, Bruce T. Riley Award and membership in Mortar Board 2015-16.

Alexander Barnes of Las Vegas graduated from East Central University in Ada, Okla., on May 9.

Air Force Airman Charisse P. Centeno graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Centeno is the wife of Alvin Accad and the daughter of Crisanto and Lani Centeno and granddaughter of Erlinda Pamintuan, all of Las Vegas. The airman graduated from Southeast Career Technical Academy.

Mary Collins, James Forehand, Brett Neighbors and Debbie Rea, all of Las Vegas, made the honor roll at Spokane Falls Community College in Spokane, Wash.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recently announced this year’s National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners. Local students include: Jake H. Lee, Amar Shah and Timothy Ryan Shaw, all of Henderson; and Fadi M. Azar, Cameron P. Both, Daniel Chen, Dakota D. Jones, Arbab Khalid, Alex Lu Wang, Claire C. Ong and Tristan Sun, all of Las Vegas.

Steven Paul Young of Las Vegas graduated from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan.

Army Pvt. Linda I. Buckmon graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Buckmon is the daughter of Sherri L. Parmer of North Las Vegas and is a 2014 graduate of Legacy High School.

Army Pvt. Christian M. Aquino graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Aquino is the son of Christine Mirasol of Las Vegas and is a 2014 graduate of Bonanza High School.

Winners of the 11th annual Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri University of Science and Technology included Elizabeth Robinson, a junior in ceramic engineering from Las Vegas. She earned third for research titled Testing of Active Compressions — Decompression Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Jose Guerrero Flores of Las Vegas made the 2014-15 honor roll at the Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad, Calif. Additionally, Drayson Little of Las Vegas made the 2014-15 dean’s list at the academy.

Air Force Airman Roberto J. Diaz graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. The airman graduated in 2013 from Innovations International Charter School of Nevada.

Douglas Jackson of Las Vegas, a member of broadcast operations management for Fox Television, has been named a SUNY Oneonta Alumni of Distinction honoree.

Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Robert James B. Falsis graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Falsis is the cousin of Rodney Balgan and son-in-law of Jaynar Lucero of Las Vegas.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Mike Beltre graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio. Beltre is the brother of Edwin Beltre of Las Vegas.

Justyn Anderson of Las Vegas graduated from Chadron State College in Chadron, Neb., in May.