Smith Center Honors 20 Teachers at Heart of Education Awards

With all finalists treated to an evening of entertainment and celebration, The Smith Center for the Performing Artshonored 20 Clark County School District (CCSD) educators as the winners of the 2017 Heart of Education Awards, hosted at the Smith Center's Reynolds Hall on Saturday, April 29. In its second year, the annual event powered by The Rogers Foundation recognized CCSD educators who have made exceptional efforts for their students and significantly contributed to their education and overall lives. Additionally, four teachers were also awarded with the Las Vegas Review-Journal's People's Choice Award.

This year's Heart of Education Awards recognized more than 900 finalists with a red carpet gala that included surprise keynote speaker Dr. Jill Biden, wife of former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and a lifelong educator herself, who raises awareness of education issues across the country.

"During the Obama-Biden administration, I had the opportunity to meet with incredible people from around the world - artists, creators and scientists who change the way we see the world, presidents and monarchs whose decisions changed millions of lives," Dr. Biden said to the full auditorium. "But when I think about the people who are truly shaping the future, I don't think about those luminaries or world leaders. I think of a room like this, full of people like you. I think of teachers."

The event's 20 award winners each received special recognition with a commemorative Heart of Education medallion and a cash prize of $5,000. Each winner's respective school also received a $1,000 donation that will benefit a program of the teacher's choice.

The 2017 Heart of Education Awards recipients include:

· Alexandra Matthews, Barbara and Hank Greenspun Junior High School

· Damon Wahl, Kay Carl Elementary School

· Deborah Fleischer, Jack Lund Schofield Middle School

· Demitrio Frausto, William E. Ferron Elementary School

· Diane Koutsulis, Green Valley High School

· Erick Ekker, Bob Miller Middle School

· Hela Naziri, Cheyenne High School

· Jeffrey Hinton, Advanced Technologies Academy

· Kathryn Faulkner, Myrtle Tate Elementary School

· Kelly Kirkbride, Elaine Wynn Elementary School

· Kimberly Murray, R.E. Tobler Elementary School

· Kimberly Butterfield, Whitney Elementary School

· Linda Marie Wise, Rex Bell Elementary School

· Perryn Hale, Roy W. Martin Middle School

· Renee Ara, Robert Lunt Elementary School

· Ruben Perta, Early Childhood Department

· Ryan Duff, Basic Academy of International Studies

· Saleutogi Lualemaga, Jerome D. Mack Middle School

· Sergio Lopez III, Chaparral High School

· Shannon Sheldon, Southwest Career and Technical Academy

The Las Vegas Review-Journal also rewarded four People's Choice Awards to teachers selected by a public vote, with each recipient receiving $2,500. Recipients included:

· Albert L. Ocampo, Southwest Career and Technical Academy

· Bonnie Lamping, Shirley and Bill Wallin Elementary School

· Jeffrey C. Archibald, Las Vegas Academy of the Arts

· Kristan N. Nigro, Halle Hewetson Elementary School

Produced by The Smith Center's President and CEO, MyRon Martin, the invitation-only ceremony was emceed by stage, film and TV star Erich Bergen, best known for his role in hit CBS show Madam Secretary. The event also showcased performances byMichael Cavanaugh, star of Broadway musical MOVIN' OUT, Las Vegas headliner Clint Holmes, a cappella group The Sound Collage and Las Vegas-bred rock band Brumby.

The event also featured appearances by Rory Reid, President and COO of The Rogers Foundation, Beverly Rogers, co-founder and Chairman of the Board at The Rogers Foundation and CCSD Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky. Also presenting was Las Vegas Review-Journal President and Publisher Craig Moon.

Inspired by a teacher-recognition program held at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C., The Heart of Education Awards celebrates outstanding teachers from various CCSD schools. The nomination process, which closed on Jan. 31, 2017, invited nominated applicants to share personal accounts of how they positively impacted the needs and education of their students and schools.

In addition to The Rogers Foundation, major supporters of the event included The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Nevada State Bank, PRG, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, High Roller Las Vegas, Tenors of Rock, Cirque du Soleil®, SeaQuest, Switch and Brooklyn Bowl.

Community supporters of the event included NV Energy, Silverton Casino, Findlay Chevrolet, Galleria at Sunset, Stitched, University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, Pandora, Dignity Health, Western Governors University, MGM Resorts International, South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa, AEG Live, Ethel M Chocolates, Creel Printing, Ricardo's Mexican Restaurant, Sambalatte and Lightning Bug Candle Company.

For more information about The Heart of Education Awards, please visit TheHeartOfEducation.org.

Photo: Dr. Jill Biden and MyRon Martin Photo Credit: Erik Kabik

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