Summerlin children share their love

For 17 years, Summerlin children have created Valentine drawings for the Why I Love Summerlin competition to illustrate the ways they appreciate the community. This year, dozen of children submitted entries to the art contest.

Amenities featured in the drawings included parks, schools, Summerlin Hospital Medical Center and Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

"I love Summerlin because I like the mountains," 6-year-old Parker Samuelson wrote on his drawing; "I like Summerlin because they have nice schools," wrote 7-year-old Kaitlyn Funk; "I love the nice people in Summerlin," wrote 8-year-old Cameryn Reasbeck; "I love Summerlin because I like the parks here," wrote 9-year-old Jared Snanoudj, and 10-year old Annie Siroky listed parties, parades, swimming, Summerlin Sam, parks and hiking as some of the many reasons she loves the community.

"It's endearing to hear why our young residents love Summerlin," said Lezlie Barnson-DeNardin, community relations director for The Summerlin Council, the non-profit arm of the Summerlin Community Association that oversees special event planning and programming in the community, including this year's "Why I Love Summerlin" art competition. "Ironically, it's often the same reasons our older residents love the community. Summerlin truly appeals to all generations."

Six winners representing different age groups were selected this year by a panel of Summerlin residents and local community leaders. Winners received a General Growth Properties gift card good at Fashion Show, The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian, The Boulevard Mall and Meadows Mall. General Growth Properties is the parent company of The Howard Hughes Corp., developer of Summerlin.

The following are the 2008 "Why I Love Summerlin" competition winners:

-- Four-year-old Chloe Bakert, a student at Lit'l Scholar Academy, placed first in her age category. According to Chloe's mom, Vidia Bakert, Chloe loves coloring, reading and socializing in Summerlin.

-- Six-year-old Avalon Hester from Alexander Dawson Elementary drew a picture of a multi-colored butterfly with various colors representing her favorite Summerlin amenities, including school, church, soccer fields, Red Rock Canyon and home. According to Avalon's mother, Lisa Hester, Avalon will drop down anywhere and start drawing.

-- Competitive swimmer and 10-year-old student at Staton Elementary, Kasdyn Rafie, drew a picture of the community's pools with a mountain backdrop. "I love the Summerlin pools," is written on her award-winning picture.

-- Another Staton Elementary student, 11-year-old Hallie Appleyard, drew a landscape picture with trees, birds, butterflies and a smiling sun. "I love Summerlin" is written on her picture. According to Hallie's mother, Elana Appleyard, Hallie is a straight-A honor roll student and competitive dancer for DelGado Dance Studios.

-- Sisters Dipika and Mayuri Bhandari placed first in the two older age categories. Dipika, a 13-year-old at Hyde Park Middle School, drew a landscape picture with green grass, mountains and blue skies, while Mayuri, a 16-year-old from Palo Verde High School, drew an image of a child playing with a ball on a park bench in a garden-like setting.

"We're pleased with all the entries we received this year and encourage even more students to participate in the competition next year," Barnson-DeNardin said.

Summerlin began to take shape in 1990. Located along the western rim of the Las Vegas Valley, Summerlin is currently home to more than 95,000 residents.

Amenities include more than 100 parks, more than 150 completed miles of the Summerlin trail system, nine golf courses, a dozen houses of worship, 22 public and private schools and more than 100 actively selling floor plans.

Single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and lofts are available, priced from the mid-$200,000s to more than $2 million. Custom home sites in The Ridges are priced from the $500,000s.

Luxury apartment homes offer monthly rents starting from the $900s. For more information on Summerlin, visit summerlin.com or call 888-898-5015.