Unexpected Treasures – Pahrump Valley Winery

By Lisha Ross

I first visited Pahrump Valley Winery in 2001, and quite frankly, I wasn’t impressed. A novel idea it was, but the reality of it left a lot to be desired. That is to say, you could sip on halfway decent wine and look out onto the small vineyard, but you could never escape the fact that the desert is the desert, Pahrump is a bit on the fringe and the cooler climes and sophistication of Northern California are still hundreds of miles away. Tiny, shriveled grapes gasped under the blazing sun, the food in the restaurant was bland and poorly executed, and the interior was more shabby shanty than wine country chic. That being said, it met my expectations. I mean really, a bonefide winery in the Mojave desert? How is that even possible? Well, naysayers, myself included, should bite our parched tongues, gas up the car and enjoy the ride, because with some heavy renovations and a passion for creating fine wines, Gretchen and Bill Loken, who took over the establishment in 2003, have transformed this shadow of a winery into a vision of Napa.

Pahrump Valley Winery (www.pahrumpwinery.com; 800-368-9463) sits on 1.5 acres of land–not exceptionally large for a vineyard, but the Loken’s have taken advantage of every inch. Property that is not crawling with Zinfandel and Syrah vines is carpeted with grass and shaded by stately weeping willows. A babbling fountain sits near the center. Taking some time for a leisurely stroll along the ambling walkways or indulging in quiet reflection on one of many benches is a must. Taste a grape! The red ones are delicious; the green ones tart. Even in the middle of summer, the lush landscape makes the temps seem tolerable and provides the perfect backdrop for imbibing a refreshing glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. 

Let your experience begin with a tour of the grounds guided by Gretchen, if she’s available; she’s well versed in wine making from seed to bottle and likely has the answer to any question you can throw her way. Next, you’ll want to move inside to quench your thirst with a respectable, complimentary tasting, which includes a handful of choices from eight of their award-winning selections. Since 2004, their wines have accumulated over 200 awards. As winner of 7 awards, their 2005 NV Ridge Zinfandel Crush, the first wine ever to be fully grown and produced in Nevada, attests to the Lokens’ wine-making talent and prowess.

Possessing light, sweet and fruity flavors, Desert Blush and Burgundy run neck and neck for biggest seller, probably for their approachable composition, but the selection varies greatly from the dry, light oak Chardonnay to a very smooth Crème Sherry. At summer’s end, Pahrump Valley Winery is diversifying the selection by introducing 11 new varieties on 3 new labels: Nevada Ridge, Villa Bianca and Loken Cellars. We were privileged enough to have a pre-release taste of the new Cabernet Sauvignon, and it was heaven on the palate. Those who enjoy their wine like punch should definitely have a go at their specialty Sangria, made with Burgundy wine as the base. They’ll even give you the recipe for it, as well as Hot Mulled Spice Wine and a Sherry Spritzer.

Taste until you find one you love, buy a glass or a bottle, and move around the elegant space. There’s a charming gift shop with gift baskets, t-shirts and the usual souvenir goodies, a comfortable sitting area with a window view into the wine cellar, and you can even check out the cask-lined fermenting room. When you’re ready to satiate your appetite for food, Symphony’s at the Winery is an intimate and stylish place for an afternoon or evening nosh. The menu is replete with dishes prepared with the winery’s creations, like the Incredible Lobster Bisque laced with Crème Sherry (every bit as creamy and delicious as the name suggests), steaks finished with red wine reduction, and Zinfandel Glazed Pork Ribs. Winners round our table were the Calamari Puttanesca, the Kobe Beef Burger, Ginger and Teriyaki Glazed Atlantic Salmon, and a ridiculously light and mouth-watering Crème Brulee for dessert.

By day’s end, you should be sufficiently toasty and satisfied any season, but fall, being harvest, is a special time to visit the winery. Not only is the weather fine for outdoor toasts, on October 9th and 10th the winery will once again host the annual Grape Stomp event. Willing participants partner up–one to stomp, one to collect the juice–and compete for a token trophy and esteem of master grape stompers. Once a one-day affair, the event has been so successful in previous years that it’s been extended to two full days of stomping fun, live entertainment on the outdoor stage, BBQ and family activities.    

Getting over the hump to Pahrump is an easy drive and part of the fun. It’s a straight, relatively traffic-free shot up NV 160 N which runs parallel to the Spring Mountains. However, unless you have a designated driver (yeah) or plan on staying at a hotel in Pahrump (nay), you’ll have to find alternative transportation, which is really great if you enjoy riding in style. Scenic Las Vegas Tours (866-921-7547) offers limousine transportation to and from the winery in 5 hour blocks for $400 for 1-8 people.

Surrounded by the sandy beige hues of the Mojave, it’s not quite Napa. But if you let your taste buds guide you, indulge in the bouquet, and allow your senses to drift, you will certainly be intoxicated by this sparkling glass of heaven, I promise.

In the Know

Want to throw an amazing party that your friends can’t stop talking about?  Every Day Events and Go to Wedding Planner have teamed up to help you turn all your special events into the talk of the town.  Tina Day and Breanna Fisher, co-owners, have over 16 years of experience, eyes for style, and pride themselves on the relationships they’ve built with vendors and venues.  Because of these relationships they are able to give their clients the best possible deals and discounts on invitations, flowers, catering, venues, DJs, photography, linens, transportation, decorations and much more! The best part is there is no charge for their service to the client! Be a guest at your own event and let them make your vision a reality. Call 326-4265 or 419-8765 now for an appointment.

Planning a glamorous night out with the ladies? Hop on the Girl’s Night Out Beauty Bus for a ride on the wild side. For bachelorette or sweet sixteen parties, concerts or any ol’ night out, you can pamper yourself and your entourage with star-studded treatments on the move. Start the night out by getting picked up on a 34 ft. beauty salon/party bus, let the certified cosmetologists aboard beautify your crew and let the good times roll. Don’t let the fun, plush décor fool you, this is a full-service mobile salon offering haircuts and shampoos, styles, up-dos, coloring, perms, extensions, spray tanning, manicure and pedicure, facials, hot towel wraps, waxing, make-up and more. It only gets better from there, as you are transported in V.I.P. style to your event. Call 271-7102 or visit www.702connections.com and book your reservation today.

Are your pets frazzled by your summer getaway? Give them their own ultimate resort experience at A-Round of A-Paws Pet Resort and Spa (3255 St. Rose Pkwy., #160). Dedicated to your pet’s safety and comfort, the family owned and operated resort provides 24-hour care from certified animal care professionals. Spoil your pet to the max with deluxe amenities such as luxury suites, a mezzanine running track, tennis ball launcher, pet massage by a certified massage therapist, day camp for K9s and preservative-free gourmet treats prepared on-site. First time customers receive a free physical exam courtesy of Seven Hills Pet Hospital, also offering a “Barkin’ Bargain” to all A-Round of A-Paws customers–10% off medical care and vaccinations. Call 462-9700 to set up a visit to this state-of-the-art resort.

In this heat, who couldn’t appreciate a double dose of island time? Two distinct concepts in one convenient location, Ernie’s and the Caribbean Cooker (65-75 S. Stephanie) bring everything but the beach to Vegas. Ernie’s 24-hour gaming and tapas lounge lets you experience the life and times of Ernest Hemingway through hand-crafted martinis, tapas and five distinctive Sloppy Joes. From paellas to filet mignon, mojitos to aged rum, the Caribbean Cooker invites you to get swept away on an island adventure through Executive Chef Antonio Nunez and Chef David Weigel’s culinary creations. Taste Caribbean classic Conch Fritters, Crab Louie, Lollipop Jerk Ahi Tuna, St. Kitts Callaloo Oysters and other tropical treats. They’ve also got a full gaming bar with a thatched Palapa canopy and rum display for that extra cool island vibe. Call 888-6565 for more info.

If you want to relieve stress, tension headaches, manage pain or simply relax–at affordable prices–Massage Envy (1000 N. Green Valley Pkwy., #700) is the place for you.  Experience the quiet, spa-like setting of Massage Envy while enjoying a one-time introductory offer of $39 for a one-hour massage session.  For just $59 per month, you’ll receive benefits that include a one-hour therapeutic massage session, retail merchandise and family member add-ons. With more than 1,000 appointment times available per week, the certified, licensed massage therapists are available to help you when you need it most. Hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat., and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. To schedule an appointment, call 563-ENVY (3689) or visit www.massageenvy.com.

Got dangerous curves? Flaunt them with hot fashions from Voluptuous Fashion Plus Boutique (10271 S. Eastern Ave., #114), offering more to love for a lot less to the curvaceous fashionista. Located next door to Patty’s Closet in the Siena Promenade Center, Voluptuous is the first of its kind in the city. After realizing Vegas’ shortage of cute, affordable fashions in the plus size range, Patty’s Closet owner Patricia Barba decided to bring fun trends and fashions to a new group of women, size 14-24. At Voluptuous, she offers a boutique setting with retail prices, meaning that for any garment, they only carry 2 of each size. Once that style is sold, it’s quickly replaced by a different one, so the fashions are constantly changing. See for yourself, or call 982-2049 for info.

In Review – The Passage

By Justin Cronin, as Reviewed by Macy Walsh

There are summer books, and then there are summer bricks; those tantalizing, toaster oven size tomes that strain beach totes with their sheer physical (if not always intellectual) heft.  At 766 pages, Justin Cronin’s ambitious doorstop The Passage is heavyweight in more ways than one.  Volume I of a promised trilogy, this apocalyptic story by a hitherto mainstream writer (a Pen/Hemingway Award winner) is not just another vampire story, but deserves a spot among the best of the genre alongside McCammon’s Swan Song and Steven King’s The Stand.  Mr. King, in fact, was moved to rave like a proud uncle on the book’s back cover.

This is a creation story for this millennium, a heroic tale filled with battles between good and evil and struggles with the supernatural.  It is bursting with myths and monsters and populated with men and women forging civilization after “the world has lost its memory.”  The book is that memory.

Cronin gets everything right: suspenseful pacing using third-person view points that alternate throughout; interesting characters with all-too-human flaws (from pedophile laborers to nuns and FBI agents); and just enough verisimilitude in his science fiction-cum-horror plot to have readers believing his fictional apocalypse might be plausible.  The narrative is presented through multiple points of view and across grand sweeps of time, making it an historical testament to the “Time Before” and all that came after, “as if a blade had fallen onto time itself, cleaving it into halves.”  What makes the novel such a riveting read is that Cronin packs as much breathless action and as many compelling characters into the before as he does the after.

The Passage begins with the introduction of the story’s enigmatic central figure, 6-year-old Amy Harper Bellafonte, the product of a brief liaison between a traveling salesman and a waitress in an Iowa diner.  The story of Amy’s first few years is a piercingly naturalistic tale of downward mobility amid truck stops and cheap motels.  Cronin then sends his narrative into overdrive as the next two chapters let the reader in on all the basics–a virus discovered in a South American jungle is being genetically engineered by the military in an effort to create a breed of vampiric super-soldiers using death-row inmates as subjects.  Little Amy, meanwhile, during a recent trip to the zoo, has displayed an apparent ability to communicate with the animals and, as a result, becomes another candidate for the program.  Naturally, this being a government project and all, things don’t quite go as planned.  The virus creates not one Frankenstein monster but many and these “virals” (vampires) are the beginning of the end.  They escape from the “secure” facility in Colorado where the project was based and soon an end-of-the-world scenario is playing out as those who are infected hunt down those who are not. Two years later, much of the world is dead; or undead as the case may be.

In the future that makes up the middle of the novel, we see what one community has become generations later, a fortified medieval village of sorts where the lights are left on at night so the darkness won’t bring death, and where “courage is easy; it’s hope that’s hard.”   Amy, abandoned at a convent early in the book, soon hooks up with Wolgast, an aging FBI agent.  Like the original test subjects, Amy has psychic abilities and she appears in the dreams of many people, leading to the belief that she might be the one person who can save what’s left of the human race.  She and a band of followers, including one named Peter, must journey north to where Project Noah began, and where Amy, like many characters in creation myths, becomes creator, destroyer and savior of the world. 

Reportedly The Passage was inspired by the author’s daughter, who asked that he “write a story about a girl who saves the world.”  There is an explosive quality to this book that destroys conventional thought, leaving your mind operating on a plane of simple survival.  The impact of the reader’s connection with the characters is incredible; heroes and victims are all people audiences feel they know as they move forward or live out their final moments.  Experiences are expectedly grim and there are one or two characters in whose minds you may not want to be trapped. 

A riveting page turner, The Passage is never dull.  What’s more, Cronin nails the ending, leaving you with just the right sort of tease that will have you waiting on the edge of your seat for the promised sequel.

Cacti, Caves and Cowboys – Tucson Arizona

By Aly Wagonseller

It might seem simple to surmise that all deserts are created equal. Wide open spaces comprised of arrogant temperatures, lonely vegetation and wildlife, and a cruel lack of precipitation would certainly paint an accurate picture of most.  But another variation of arid wonderland exists, and it’s found in Tucson, Arizona. A desert town that not only entertains with four-star resorts and distinctive Southwestern cuisine, but also offers a glimpse into  mysterious, desert ecosystems, living caverns and the kind of old western folklore that legends are made of.

Prickly Personality

Tucson is located within the Sonoran Desert, a vast region that stretches throughout five western states on into Mexico. The Sonoran is rich in both wild and plant life and is home to several distinct, indigenous species.  The expanse between Tucson and the Mexican border houses the only population of jaguars living in the United States and is also the natural habitat of one of the most intriguing cactus varieties in the world, the Saguaro cactus.

Saguaro National Park

Stretching along both the eastern and western parts of town, with downtown Tucson residing midway between, the scenery in the Saguaro National Park is eerily human like.  Here you can drive through winding forests of up to 45 foot tall Saguaros that seem to exhibit personalities of their own. Outstretched “arms”, appendages that take more than 75 years to sprout, beckon onlookers to explore the horizon.  Some seem friendlier than others, their extended limbs ready to engage in a big ole hug.  Others emit a darker, mysterious and supernatural air, especially when encountered in the shadows of sunset.

Both sections of the park have trails and picnic areas, although summer hiking and biking is reserved for die hard enthusiasts willing to brave the soaring temperatures.  Afternoon monsoons also create dangerous flash flooding risks during July and August, making the fall and winter months optimal for paying a visit. For information on trails, camping and scenic drives, visit www.saguaronationalpark.com.

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

The western sector of Saguaro National Park sits adjacent to a 496,000 acre, indoor/outdoor eco park and zoo known as the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Experienced docents versed in the flora, fauna and wildlife of the Sonoran Desert guide you along outdoor trails and exhibits that speak to everything this lively desert has to offer. Of course there are ample exhibits of the usual lizards, snakes, owls, fish, amphibian and the like, but you’ll also view animals you’d never expect to see in the sandy lands, such as bears, beaver, river otters, bobcats, ocelots and gray fox. A walk-in aviary houses more than 40 species of birds, and if you look close enough, you may just see a snake coiled on a tree branch.

The museum holds special events in their indoor amphitheatre, have live animal demonstrations, and is open Saturday night (seasonal hours apply) so visitors can view animals when they’re most active.  For pricing information, tours and special events, visit www.desertmuseum.org.   

Man Meets Cave

About fifty minutes down I-10 E towards Benson lays a spelunking find so astonishing it was kept secret for more than a decade.  Discovered in 1974 by two young cavers, Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts, and purchased by the Arizona State Park system in 1988, Kartchner Caverns State Park boasts cave formations as majestic as its history. A  “living” cavern, meaning that water and minerals continue to actively create formations just as they did 200,000 years ago, it’s considered one of the top 10 color caves in the world and includes a record-breaking, 21-foot-long soda straw stalactite, a large bat population, as well as a massive column known as Kubla Kahn that towers 58 feet high. 

Unlike its discoverers who crawled through thick mud and humid air to get a glimpse of what is now known as the Throne, Rotunda and Great Room sections of the caves, modern day spelunkers utilize convenient walkways and lighting that allow visitors to take in the massive stalactites, stalagmites, moonmilk and other formations without jeopardizing the integrity of the surroundings. Guided tours of the Throne and Rotunda rooms that culminate in a surreal light and native flute show are offered year round, with the Great Room only open for viewing from October through April due to bat breeding season. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 520-586-2283.

Giddy Up Cowboy

The West wasn’t named Wild for nothin’, and the Tucson area is rich with history on the cowboy front. A 1 ½ hour scenic drive down I-10 E to Highway 80 puts you smack dab in gun fightin’ territory, offering a wonderful, Old West adventure for both kids and parents alike.

Tombstone

Made famous by Doc Holliday and the Earp brothers, there’s plenty of cowboy folklore to be found on the streets of this old mining boomtown. Take a narrated stagecoach tour through the streets where cowboys ruled the roost. Visit the grounds of the OK Corral, yippin’ and hollerin’ while viewing a reenactment of the now infamous gunfight.  Pay your respects to both the villain and the good guys at the Boothill Graveyard.  Galleries to take old time photos, saloons and cafés, as well as kitschy souvenir shops are all stashed behind old time building facades with hokey names to match.  For more info on things to do in Tombstone, visit www.tombstoneweb.com.

Bisbee

For those who crave more charm, less hype, a visit to Bisbee is a must. About 25 minutes up Highway 80 from Tombstone, this charming old mining town sits in a gorgeous, purple hued canyon dotted with gingerbread Victorian homes, some for living, others used to house antique and art galleries too special to miss.  Revived from mining extinction in the late 60s and 70s by the influx of a large California hippy crowd, you’ll still see many a 60-year-old sporting flower power and biker attire while hangin’ at the corner eatery.  Locals like to think of it as Arizona’s answer to Taos New Mexico, fostering a free spirit attitude for just doing your own thing. 

Resort Life

Finding a place to relax by the pool, indulge in a spa treatment, play a round of golf, or get in a few games of tennis is no problem in Tucson.  Several four-star resorts, including the Hilton El Conquistador, JW Marriott Starr Pass and the Westin La Paloma, all fit the bill.  More moderately priced lodging, as well as camping sites and dude ranch accommodations can be found at www.visittucson.org.

Who’d have thought you could experience such a diverse vacation in the desert?  With the natural beauty, sorted history and lavish resorts found in Tucson, AZ, this desert retreat is anything but ordinary.

Sidebar

A Tucson Tradition

El Charro Café

The Tucson dining scene runs the gamut from famous Sonoran Hot Dogs that can be found at street vendors and trucks along the road, to award-winning Southwestern Mexican cuisine. None is more celebrated than the original El Charro Café near the downtown area at 311 No. Court Ave. Located in what was once the original proprietor’s home, this charming restaurant is filled with antique furnishings and memorabilia, boasts a serious celebrity following and has been chosen as one of 21 must visit restaurants in the U.S. by Gourmet Magazine.  El Charro’s been family owned and operated since 1922, and with good reason. Pride, craftsmanship and a little love is evident in their out of this world tamales, oversized burritos and chimichangas filled with traditional Carne Seca or caramelized Carne Asada with onions, and a variety of home style authentic Mexican cuisine made with Tucson flair. There’s a reason this place has been hoppin’ for almost 90 years. For info, visit www.elcharrocafe.com.

Kim DeSario

Liberty High School

Class of 2011

On the playing field of life, Liberty High School Student Body President Kim DeSario is heading for the goal and poised to take a winning shot. Easy going in nature, yet full of competitive zeal, she’s on a mission to master the personal qualities and skills that will continue to bring success in the next school year and beyond. She’s dedicated and studious, athletic and kind, but above all she recognizes herself as an integral part of a bigger picture. Essentially, she’s willing to put her best foot forward and score one for the team, and for that, Kim DeSario is – A Step Above. 

G.P.A.:  4.67

Sports/Clubs:

• Las Vegas Premier Soccer Club, 2002-Present
• Varsity Cross Country, 2007-09
• Varsity Soccer, 2007-Present
• Student Council, 2007-Present
• National Honor Society, 2010-11
• Advanced Placement Club, 2009-Present

Awards/Community Service:

• Scholar Athlete Award, 2007-Present
• Varsity Letter Soccer, 2007-Present
• Varsity Letter Cross Country, 2007-09
• Team Captain for Club Soccer, 2005-Present
• Team Captain for Varsity Soccer, 2008-Present
• Student of the Month, 2010
• Local Elementary School Volunteer
• Central Christian Church Volunteer
• Nevada Cancer Center Volunteer

Goals & Aspirations: “First I would like to graduate high school with an advanced honors diploma and an advanced placement seal. One day I hope to build a career in the field of biology and start a family.”

Kim is Successful Because: “My ability to accept everyone for who they are makes me successful. I am able to use this skill in everyday life through friends, student council, and sports. Many people open up to me because I am non-judgmental and I will listen and understand. I know that if I go into politics this will help me throughout my career.”

Kim is Stronger and Wiser Because: “My dad had cancer when I was going through middle school. He fought the odds and is currently in remission. I learned from this experience to cherish every second I am given.”

Cody Heath Johnson

Silverado High School

Class of 2011

Anything but tepid, Silverado High School Student Body President Cody Johnson is jumping, not easing, into life with both feet and a big splash. He takes his obligations seriously, from summer jobs to leadership and volunteerism. His initiative is undeniable, but a more telling characteristic is that he’s not afraid to deviate from the “norm” if the alternative leads to a higher purpose and a more complete sense of self. Best of all, underneath Cody’s hard working surface is a friendly and kind-hearted individual that is most certainly – A Step Above.  

G.P.A.:  3.7

Sports/Clubs:  

• Rebel Dive Club, 2006-09
• Silverado Dive Team, 2009
• Silverado Freshman Volleyball, 2007
• Student Council, 2009-Present
• Student Body President, 2010-Present
• Junior Class Treasurer, 2009/10
• Class Committee, 2008-Present
• One Club, 2007/08

Awards/Community Service:

• Cactus Diving Invitational–1 meter 1^st Place, 2008
• Cactus Diving Invitational–3 meter 1^st Place, 2008
• National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine Nominee, 2008-10
• Rotary Youth Leadership Award, 2010
• Student Council Super Star, 2009
• Student Council Junior of the Year, 2009/10
• Nevada Association of Student Councils State Conference, 2010
• National Association of Student Councils National Conference, 2010
• Three Square Foundation Canned Food Volunteer, 2009
• United Services Blood Donor, 2009-Present
• Relay for Life, 2008/10
• PB & J-athon for Las Vegas Rescue Mission, 2009
• Battle of the Bands for Make a Wish Foundation, 2010
• Committee for Youth Conference, 2010
• Restoration of St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, 2010
• Holiday Party for Shade Tree Shelter, 2009
• Valentine’s Day Dance for Special Education Students, 2010
• Teachers vs. Student Basketball Game for Opportunity Village, 2010
• Southern Highlands Fall Festival 5k Run for Autism, 2008

Goals & Aspirations: “For now, my goal is to be a positive example for Silverado High School and set an impeccable tone for the student body while balancing my studies, work and my social life. For the future, I plan to attend Brigham Young University and begin my endless study of medicine in order to become a reconstructive surgeon.”

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? “In ten years, I will probably still be on my incessant endeavor to complete medical school to begin my career.  More importantly, I see myself having a family, guiding my children to greatness and teaching them to be leaders for their own generation.”

Cause for Concern: “Without a doubt in my mind I would choose to be president of Invisible Children, an organization that focuses on long-term development of war-affected areas in Africa.  Essentially, Invisible Children provides water and sanitation to those in need as well as improving education by building schools and providing scholarships for underprivileged children.”

Casey Zachary

Coronado High School

Class of 2011

In the grand scheme of things, there are those that do, and those that don’t. Coronado High School Student Body President Casey Zachary is in all respects a doer. Goal-oriented and highly motivated, she makes no excuses to be idle and doesn’t wait for luck to strike. Rather, she invokes the words of Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” as a call to action. Whether cheerfully rallying her peers, excelling in academics or volunteering in the community, she exemplifies leadership, compassion and a positive, can-do attitude that makes great things possible, and for that, Casey Zachary is – A Step Above.   

G.P.A.:  4.0

Sports/Clubs/Activities:

• Junior Varsity Cheerleader, 2008/09
• Varsity Cheerleader, 2009/10
• Student Body President, 2010-Present
• Student Council Representative, 2007-10
• National Honor Society, 2009-Present
• Key Club Historian, 2009/10
• Key Club Member, 2008-Present
• Peer Helpers, 2010-Present
• Clark County School Board Representative, 2009/10
• FBLA Secretary, 2007/08
• City of Henderson Lifeguard, 2009-Present
• Cheer Coach–Gymcats Gymnastics, 2010-Present

Scholarships/Awards/Community Service:

• Key Club Traditional Scrapbook 1^st Place Division 28 S., 2009/10
• Key Club Traditional Scrapbook National Finalist, 2009/10
• RYLA Scholarship Winner, 2009/10
• CHS Scholar Athlete, 2008/09
• National Charity League
• Mission Bell Award–50 Volunteer Hours
• Yellow Rosebud Award–75 Volunteer Hours
• Yellow Rose Award–75 Service Hours
• Hourglass Award–100 Service Hours
• Community Service Award–154 Service Hours in One Year
• Mother Daughter Award–50 Volunteer Hours   
• Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation–Camp Cartwheel, 2009/10
• Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center Junior Volunteer, 2007/08
• Danny Gans Champions Run For Life, 2007-09
• Make a Wish Run
• Henderson Parks & Recreational Center Junior Volunteer–40 Hours, 2007
• Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, 2007/08
• American Cancer Society Relay for Life, 2007/08

Goals & Aspirations: “I plan to graduate with high honors and continue my education at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). My future goal is to obtain a degree where I can work to make a change in the world.”

Casey is Successful Because: “I have had a strong and moral work ethic in all that I do. I work hard to complete the goals I set and never give up. Even during the times where situations are not favorable I continue to work with a positive attitude towards a good outcome.”  

Casey Looks Up To: “Two pillars of strength are my mother and my sister. My sister, Brittany, always stands by her convictions and works hard for everything she has. My mother encourages me to care about others and to give back to my community. She supported me and gave me the confidence to always do my best and believe in myself.”

Taylor John Ashton

Green Valley High School

Class of 2011

For Green Valley High School Student Body President Taylor Ashton, leadership entails many things, but above all, it means if you’re gonna talk the talk you gotta walk the walk. Tapping into reserves of discipline and respect, he sets an admirable example for others by maintaining high academic standards, setting attainable, yet challenging goals, and practicing and advocating acceptance of diversity. All the while, he finds a natural appreciation for those who’ve helped him along, and turns that gratefulness outwards in volunteering to help the community, and for that, Taylor Ashton is – A Step Above.

G.P.A.:  4.497

Clubs/Activities/Leadership:

• Student Council Class Treasurer, 2007/08
• Student Council Class Vice President, 2008/09
• Student Council Advisory Board Member, 2009/10
• Student Body President, 2010-Present
• NV Assoc. of Student Councils So. Region Representative, 2009/10
• NV Assoc. of Student Councils State Executive Board President, 2010-Present
• Band Board Member, 2008/09
• Principal’s Advisory Group, 2007-Present
• Nevada Boys’ State Delegate, 2010
• Las Vegas Sun Youth Forum Delegate, 2009
• Green Valley Northwest Accreditation Steering Committee Member, 2009
• City of Henderson “Leadership Day” Planning Member, 2008-10
• Student Liaison between Presidential Staff and School during President Obama’s Visit to Nevada, 2010
• GVHS Marching Band, 2007-Present
• GVHS Symphonic Band, 2007-Present
• GVHS Jazz Lab, 2007-09
• National Honor Society, 2009-Present
• Young Democrats Club, 2009-Present

Awards/Community Service:

• Boys Scouts of America Eagle Scout, 2007
• Marching Band Freshman of the Year, 2008
• Academic Honor Roll, 2007-Present
• Student of the Month, 2008
• “Every 15 Minutes” Program Participant, 2009
• Student Council Upperclassman of the Year, 2010
• City of Henderson Blue Ribbon Commission Member, 2007-10
• City of Henderson Election Advisory Committee Youth Representative
• Link Associates Volunteer (For Mentally Disabled Adults)
• City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Play Day
• Student Council Gators Give Campaign
• Student Council PB & J-a-thon
• National Honor Society PB & J-a-thon
• City of Henderson Police Department Student Volunteer
• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) “Hope Gala” Volunteer

Goals & Aspirations: “I’m focusing on making a difference as Student Body President at Green Valley High School by leading the student body to embrace the diversity of our school and community and maintain Green Valley’s commitment to excellence.”

Taylor is Stronger and Wiser Because: “My family has moved a lot, with the most recent move being to Henderson during my 8^th grade year.  I’ve had to adjust to new schools and make new friends.  I’ve learned that it is important to get involved, make a difference no matter where you are and make the most out of any situation.”

Taylor on Peer Pressure: “I try to stay true to my values and beliefs and associate with people who share those values.  I believe that there are times when you have to take a stand for what you believe or to make the right decision.  I believe it’s these times that separates the real leaders from the followers.”