Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Awards gala benefits Nevada schoolchildren

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1998 | 1:55 a.m.

The Clark County Public Education's most prestigious award, the Education Hero Award, was created to recognize exceptional individuals and organizations across Nevada who share a commitment to public education. It is bestowed upon those who have gone above and beyond in their efforts. In honoring Billy Vassiliadis and his company, R & R Advertising, the Foundation was able to raise $175,000 to assist Nevada schools.

The dinner presentation at Caesars Palace generated funds that support projects and initiatives designed to improve student performance. The Foundation currently sponsors Educational Improvement Impact Grants, Student Enrichment Equity Grants, scholarships, the InterAct Online Learning Community and other programs of note.

Clark County Commissioner Erin Kenny, who serves on the Foundation's executive committee, called Vassiliadis "an important friend to the children and education system of Clark County and all of Nevada," noting that R&R Advertising has donated tens of thousands of hours of expertise and serves to help improve the quality of education and assist the Foundation in its goals. Kenny and Sig Rogich co-hosted the tribute to Vassiliadis, which featured musical presentations by students from the Las Vegas Academy and Green Valley High Schools. Perhaps most touching was the tribute to Vassiliadis, a large "Book of Thanks" featuring handwritten messages from school children.

Spoof celebration

Shenandoah Merrick again hosted her annual "Miss America Bashing Party" at her home in the rural southwest area of Las Vegas. Vividly decorated by Buncha' Baskets with red, white and blue flags and towering balloon arrangements, the evening's decor was decidedly patriotic in nature. Assorted tiaras and crowns were worn by all attending Miss America wannabes, who sipped champagne and wines while viewing the televised pageant. Among the delectable hors d' oeuvres were Roquefort mousse, Shenandoah Valley puddin' cake, powdered cream puffs, English tea sandwiches, hot artichoke spinach dip, barbecue chicken on skewers, petite teriyaki steaks and Spanish pinwheels.

Guests each contributed $10 to the prize pool; winner Miss Virginia was represented by mother-to-be Shelley Lewiston, who took home the top prize of $150. The two "loser pool" winners were Carey Stephens and Mary Lott, who each received $50, while first runner-up was Dr. Jennifer Mallinger-Younger, who won a book about the Miss America pageant.

Among the guests were: Theresa Minden, Kathie Faccinto, Sydney Knott, Natalie Ross, Debbie Herman, Jo Boyd, Melinda Margolis, Margaret Tezrich, and Penny Anthony (a former Miss Indiana ). Present as well for the hilarity were: Erica Mayer, Dallas Sisolak, Robbie McClain, Eva Kallick, Jackie Rhinehart, Stephanie Stallworth, Desiree Joseph and Sharon Pettit, to name just a few. Many of the guests were Junior League members, while others were previous assorted pageant title holders in their youth, who arrived wearing their original crowns and sashes.

Here comes the judge

Mark R. Denton, newly-appointed District Court Judge for the 8th Judicial District Court, Department 13, was honored during his recent investiture ceremonies. The first public event ever hosted by the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV on its campus, the ceremonies were well-attended by local luminaries including: Bette and Gail Sawyer, Probate Judge Don Ashworth, Lucy Foley, Doris Wartman, Pat Hines and Dr. Tom and Nell Cinque, Robin and John Boyer, Mary Hausch and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hogan.

Leading the judicial procession was Nevada Supreme Court Justice William Maupin with judges Bill Jansen, Nancy Oesterle, Victor Miller, Nancy Becker and Jack Lehman, who attended in their judicial robes. Seated on the dais with Maupin and the honoree for the late afternoon program were: Clark County District Attorney Stewart Bell, Family Court Judge Bob Gaston, U.S. District Court Judge Johnnie Rawlinson and Nevada Supreme Court Justice Robert Rose, as well as Chief District Court designate Lee Gates, Judge J. Mitchell Cobeaga and Richard Morgan, Dean of the Boyd School of Law, who provided a rousing welcome with his opening remarks.

Great warmth and an overall sense of joy in this appointment by Gov. Bob Miller colored the speeches praising and recognizing Judge Denton, who practiced with the U.S. Army and in private practice for 22 years. Among the most poignant were the remarks by Judge Denton's former law partner, Joseph A. Lopez, who will continue to practice law with Denton's father, noted attorney Ralph Denton.

Following the administration of oath by Justice Maupin, robing ceremonies were jointly conducted by Denton's wife, Alice, and his parents, Sara and Ralph Denton. The judicial robes worn were a gift of the Foley family and had originally been worn by the late Roger Foley, federal jurist of note for Southern Nevada.

Filling the law school for the ceremonies were friends and colleagues including: University Regent Mark Alden, Ann and Michael Monahan, Ann McNamee with daughter Ross Lee, Karin Scianna, Assemblywoman Gene Segerblom, Community College of Southern Nevada Professor Michael Green with his father, Vivienne Morris and Maurice and Rona Robbins with their children. Special guests included Judge Denton's in-laws, Maynard and Rita Schumacher, brother-in-law Matt Schumacher, brother Dr. Scott Denton and sister-in-law Julie Foley and her husband Michael Foley. Present at the investiture and the party that followed at Main Street Station were the Denton children, Leslie, Marianne, Jacqueline and Patrick, joined by Pastor Dave Casaleggio of Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic Church.

Media awards

Scholarship funding for UNLV students and public forums promoting ideas within the communications industry will benefit from Women in Communications (WIC) as the group hosts its 11th annual Electronic Media Awards (EMAs) on Oct. 23 at Treasure Island.

The EMAs recognize outstanding achievement in local radio and television. KTNV Channel 13's Cathy Ray and KLAS Channel 8's Gary Waddell will co-host the event, which will generously fund the Women In Communications' UNLV Scholarship Fund. Last year's show produced $25,000 in scholarship donations, which were awarded to exceptional UNLV students studying the fields of communications or marketing.

Tickets for the event, which begins at 5:30 p.m., are $40 and include a generous appetizer buffet and opportunities galore to view the sparkling silent auction tables. Reservations are a must, so please contact Theresa Blazic at 876-1559 by Oct. 16.