UNLV student earns degree, with Army commission

Dick Benoit

Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001 | 9:19 a.m.

Former Army medic Lisa Beth Mendez, a Clark High School alumna, participated in UNLV's December commencement exercises, graduating with a bachelor of science in business administration and marketing.

Mendez, 28, the daughter of Lupe and Sydnee Mendez of Las Vegas, was at the university as part of the Army's "Green to Gold" ROTC commissioning program.

As a medical technologist and medic, she served at Army installations in Missouri, Texas and Hawaii with temporary duty in Korea.

She was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Good Conduct Ribbon, as well as the National Defense Service Medal and Overseas Service Ribbon.

While a student and cadet at UNLV she was a George C. Marshall Award recipient and served as a cadet operations officer and a cadet battalion commander.

Following graduation Mendez was commissioned as an Army second lieutenant during ceremonies at UNLV. She will report to Fort Campbell, Ky., after the new year to train for a career in military intelligence, with an initial assignment to the Chemical Corps Branch Detail.

Army medal

Army Spec. Christopher Seevers, Basic High School class of 1994, has been decorated with the Army Commendation Medal. The medal is awarded to soldiers who demonstrate outstanding achievement or meritorious service in the performance of their duties.

Seevers, the son of John Seevers and Phyl Seevers of Las Vegas, received the medal while assigned as a training specialist with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery at Fort Sill, Okla.

In brief

* Laura Estelle, the daughter of Phil and Linda Estelle of Las Vegas, has been promoted to the rank of staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. She is a battle staff administrator assigned to the 701st Combat Operations Squadron at March Air Reserve Base, Calif.

* Dana Hyer, Valley High School class of 2000 and daughter of Darryl Hyer of Las Vegas, recently completed basic Army military training at Fort Sill, Okla. During training she received instruction in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military justice, physical fitness, first aid and Army history.

* Three Las Vegas High School graduates recently completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The new airmen include Mary Pen, class of 1999 and daughter of Sharon Chan and Sam Pen of Las Vegas; Starr Ellis, class of 2001 and daughter of Minetta Jones of Las Vegas; Seth Stockwell, class of 2001 and son of Belinda Stockwell of Las Vegas.

* Graduates of other area high schools who recently completed Air Force basic training include Christian Melchor, Durango High School class of 2001 and son of Estella Melchor of Las Vegas; Isis Jackson, Mojave High School class of 2001 and daughter of Veeda Jackson of Las Vegas; Johnathan Lytle, Desert Pines High School class of 2001 and grandson of Agnes Smith of Las Vegas; and Filmon Yosief, Advanced Technologies Academy class of 2001 and son of Dawit Yosief of Las Vegas.

During the six weeks of training, the new airmen studied the Air Force mission, organization, and customs; performed drill and ceremony and physical training; and studied human relations, earning credits toward an associate's degree through the Community College of the Air Force.