Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: The Meadows School is illuminated by Light

Elizabeth Foyt

Wednesday, March 20, 2002 | 8:25 a.m.

Light, the elegant nightclub at Bellagio, provided a lush setting for the recent Odyssey a la mode event to benefit The Meadows School. Chair Helene Walker, with co-chairwoman Karen Duddlesten, planned the midweek event that began with a gourmet dinner buffet, music and enticing auctions, all in the comfort of the tiered nightclub.

Guests, among them Mayor Oscar Goodman and his wife Carolyn, Wendy and Richard Plaster, Lisa Livingstone, Barbara Stout and Debbie Swissman, were pleased to relax with the fine meal and most pleasant surroundings.

Congenial conversation flowed easily at Trish Truesdale's table as she introduced her daughter, Melissa Truesdale, a Meadows School graduate who teaches at the school.

Nearby were Joel and Josie Snow, joined by Abbey and Dick Geyer as well as Jennifer Tuttle and committee members Joel Kazar and Andrea Thomas.

Allen Kaercher lent his talent as auctioneer with high bid results on the dinner offered by the Goodmans, diamond earrings donated by Scott and Wendi Miller and luxury packages for vacations, sporting events and fine dining. Supporting this worthy event were Vivica Marshall, Deborah Young, Kimberly Beckwith, Emily Novick, Paula Riordan and Linda Kalekas as well as Shawn Meinhardt, Cheryl Hill, Christine Fennell and Sonya VanWoerkom.

Proceeds from the evening benefited The Meadows School's extensive scholarship program as well as ongoing needs for the K-12 nonsectarian college preparatory campus in Summerlin. Departing guests were given small shopping bags with entry cards to the luxury boutiques at Bellagio, where a generous assortment of prizes awaited these special shoppers.

In the Village

Generosity comes in many forms, as recently proved by Opportunity Village, when Sunset Station VIP Linda Thompson donated 350 place settings to Opportunity Village's thrift-store operation. Calling the Southern Nevada agency "a great organization that helps serve this community in many ways," Thompson wanted to do her part to help.

This generous donor earned the dish settings through a Station Casinos promotion for members of the Boarding Pass player rewards program.

Opportunity Village is a Southern Nevada nonprofit organization serving people within the community with mental disabilities, helping to enhance their lives and the lives of their families. Its funding is community-based, while its ongoing efforts include several area thrift shops, sheltered workshops, recreation opportunities, vocational training programs and an extensive family outreach program.

Having Faith

Faith Lutheran Junior-Senior High School again hosted Lights, Camera ... Fashion, a delightful family afternoon for students, their families and school supporters at Texas Station.

More than a mere fund-raiser for the school, the annual event brings together staff, teachers, students and families for lunch and a most pleasant fashion show, where students in grades 6-12 model favorite selections for all occasions, including a glamorous selection of prom wear.

Speaking about the school's capital campaign was former principal, (now executive director) Kevin Dunning, who gave an update on You've Gotta Have Faith, a three-year effort begun in May with help from former baseball great Orel Hershiser.

Faith Lutheran Junior-Senior High School, a Christian school serving students in grades 6-12, has a campaign goal of $5 million and includes funding for a scholarship endowment, classroom buildings and construction of a student center-cafeteria to enhance its 45-acre Summerlin campus.

In the crowd at the fashion luncheon were Monica Guinn with Wynn Guinn and daughter Hannah, Delise Sartini and daughter Sandra, Sandee Tiberti, Denise Harrison, Sierra Black, and Madeline Quinn as well as Linda Ackerman, Elise Koerwitz, Roseanne Northington and Margie Desruisseuax.

Among those taking a turn onstage were student models Elise and Torie Black, Karley Harrison, Dylan Buffalo, Kyle Barrett, Jordan Spoon, Michael Portaro, Brett and Eilleen Lofgren and Vanessa Villareal, Adam and Ellen Plumer, Kinsey Netzorg, Paula Bell Saxton and Ashley Schnippel.

Eternal hope

Fast-approaching are a bevy of worthy events for the sweet days of spring. The Las Vegas branch of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will present the Hope is Eternal ball April 14 at the Suncoast.

Departing from the norm, the event will begin at 3 p.m. and include a reception, dinner with dancing, entertainment and an awards ceremony. Confirmed to appear on stage are Lance Burton, The Scintas, Tony Orlando, Penn & Teller, and Johnny Potash from American Superstars at the Stratosphere.

Popular weatherman Mark Pfister of KLAS Channel 8 will host the evening and lead off the ceremonies honoring Commissioner Dario Herrera as well as Sam's Club manager Carol McNally, LLS's 2002 Woman of the Year. Handling reservations and all the details for the gala benefit is Deann Cline at the Las Vegas branch of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (436-4220).

And on April 20 the Friends of the Las Vegas Academy will present The Academy Salutes Oscar. This occasion will raise funds to support the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing Arts and Visual Arts, a community-wide magnet high school serving 1300 Clark County School District students.

Leading the parade for this entertaining evening will be longtime supporter Clint Holmes, joined by an array of politicians, community leaders and fellow celebrities.

The black-tie gala will be held at Four Seasons and is planned by co-chairwomen Jill Flanzraich and Colleen Stauffer with committee members Brenda and Clint Holmes, Sue Jones, Sylvia Hutson, Gillian Silver, Linda Schilingstad and Richard Lenz. Tickets, reservations and the necessary details are available by calling Sue Jones at 838-4417.