A Step Above – Sofia Cruz
Coronado High School
Class of 2013
The trials we face in our past give us the strength we need to face the future. Coronado High School senior Sofia Cruz didn’t have an easy childhood, but she has emerged from her early struggles as a strong, confident and determined young woman. With a bright smile, a positive attitude and tireless energy, she’s emerged as a superstar on the basketball court, a leader in the classroom and a champion for the less fortunate, staying optimistic and productive each and every day. She’s working hard and happy to be living life, and that sets Sofia Cruz – A Step Above.
G.P.A.: 4.655
Sports/Activities/Community Service
- Varsity Women’s Basketball, 2010-13
- Homecoming Court Member, 2012
- Best Buddies, 2011-12
- Best Buddies Santa Run, 2010-12
- Every 15 Minutes Program, 2012\
Awards
- Las Vegas Super 7, 2012-13
- MVP of Sunrise Southeast Division, 2012-13
- All State Team, 2011-13
- February Athlete of the Month, 2011-13
- All Conference Sunrise SE Division Team, 2011-12
- Most Valuable Offensive Player, 2010-11
- Most Valuable Player, 2012-13
- All State Academic Team, 2010-13
- Scholar Athlete Award, 2010-13
- Honor Roll Student, 2010-13
- Dean’s List, 2010-13
- October Student of the Month, 2011
Accomplishments Most Proud Of: “I am most proud of my academic and athletic track record. Even with a fully loaded honors schedule and basketball schedule, I was able to maintain exceptional grades in school and continue to improve my basketball skills as well. As an adolescent, it can be difficult to concentrate when so many other things are happening, but I have always had the mind-set of separating myself from the average teenager.”
Sophia is Stronger and Wiser Because: “At the age of seven, my parents were divorced. I was moving in and out of houses constantly, and I had no stable home environment. My parents struggled to maintain a civil relationship, so mediation went through my brother and I, having to deal with adult issues as young children. The obstacles I had to overcome at a young age have shaped me into the strong woman I am today.”
Cause for Concern: “I would be president of a charitable organization that benefits the physically and mentally disabled. I have always had a special place in my heart for people who are disabled. I am so blessed to have 100% physical ability; however, not every child is born with that privilege. I would raise money to provide a recreational center specifically for people with disabilities that would include classes, games and many social gatherings.”
Meet The Neighbor – Erika Pike Turner
By Callie Thomas
Imagine what life would be like without passion. It’s what spurs athletes to win, doctors to find a cure and men and women to do what’s right – whether it be for their fellow neighbor or for their own families. Living without passion is simply not an option for 89123 resident Erika Pike Turner. It’s evident in her passion as a wife and mother, in her job as a partner and litigator at Gordon Silver and in her work advocating for abused and neglected children in Nevada’s foster care system. In fact, Turner has been awarded many times over for her passion for giving a voice to those that do not have one. She’s received the Myra Williams Award for Pro Bono Services for Children, a Senator Harry Reid Commendation for Pro Bono Services and a United States Commendation for Pro Bono Service. She’s also regularly recognized by the Pro Bono Project for services that qualify her for the 50 Hours Club and 100 Hours Club.
The fourth generation Las Vegan is proud to be making a difference within the community and happily raising a fifth generation of caring, passionate people: her children Alexander and Cassandra with husband Brad. For the past fifteen years, Turner has helped her clients as a commercial litigator by aggressively pursuing their goals in court or through arbitration and mediation. Throughout the last decade she’s also provided her extensive knowledge and expertise free of charge to ensure that the children in the system know that the court and the “system” care about their wants, needs and dreams. Erika talks with us about what drives her, working with the Clark County foster care system and how success comes with perseverance and grit.
Why is giving back to the community so important to you?
“There are people that come in and out of Las Vegas, but the core that lives here with an intention to stay need to do something to help make the community better. This is my home and I am happy to volunteer my time.”
How did you become interested in working with the Clark County foster care system?
“My sister is a social worker. She works day in and day out with Nevada’s abused and neglected children and the frustrations of trying to get them the services or homes they need in the context of our broken and under-funded system. Hearing her stories, I resolved to help. I don’t think there is anything as important as helping a child, and the pro bono work I do for the Children’s Attorney Project is certainly the most important legal work I do.”
Any experiences that you could share?
“There are so many stories, but as a result of my obligation to keep communications with the kids confidential, I can never paint a complete enough picture for people to really appreciate the experience. Suffice it to say, people do horrible things to children, and despite some wonderful people opening up their hearts and homes, there is an enormous need for advocacy to ensure that these children have a chance at a better life.”
What accomplishments make you proud?
“I have many accomplishments in my career, most of them involving a client resolving a dispute, but there’s no accomplishment better than seeing my kids succeed.”
As a fourth generation Las Vegan, do you have a favorite Las Vegas moment?
“I can’t pick just one. April 4, 1998 at the top of the Rio (the VooDoo Lounge) when my husband clumsily asked me to marry him; going to Alpine Village restaurant when I was a kid and to Red Rock with my family for a Sunday morning hike and marveling at the beauty.”
You have said that with success comes laundry. Care to explain?
“Working so many hours and with a full house, I do an enormous amount of laundry. While it isn’t a hobby, it has certainly become a longstanding pastime.”
Meet The Neighbor – Susan Deems Roske
By Callie Thomas
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
What began as a few people with a common goal of protecting abused and neglected children has grown into a state-wide resource that has made an enduring difference. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and there is no better example of the commitment to serving the public and instituting preventative initiatives then the dedication of 89074 resident Susan Deems Roske.
The forty year resident has seen much throughout her career, which has compelled her to help those who cannot help themselves. She’s been a social worker with the State of Nevada, and after attending law school in California, Roske was hired by the Public Defender’s Office and has been representing children in the juvenile delinquency court for over twenty-five years. After seeing children who are victims of sexual exploitation being prosecuted, Roske joined with an influential group of people including Juvenile Court Judge William Voy, Assistant District Attorney Teresa Lowry and UNLV Professor Alexis Kennedy to create a nonprofit foundation to help young victims and keep them out of the delinquency system. Thus, the PSEC (Protecting Sexually Exploited Children) Nevada Foundation was formed.
PSEC’s mission was later expanded to include all sexually abused and sexually exploited children, and the name became the Sojourn Foundation. Roske is the current chair and also serves on the Advisory Board for the National Juvenile Defender Center (NJDC) and as Co-Chair of the Western Region. The compassionate public servant, wife and mother of four talks about starting a nonprofit, affecting change and protecting the rights of our youth.
What was it like starting a nonprofit from scratch?
“We found out it is not a simple task and realized that we needed to be educated as to how to be an effective board. We were very fortunate to have received a federal grant which allowed us to retain a consultant to educate us and help expand our board and reshape our mission. Sojourn Foundation has started to lay out a clear vision for what the organization will grow to be…the leader and voice in our community for children who have been sexually abused and exploited.”
How is the Sojourn Foundation assisting these children?
“Sojourn Foundation is in its start up phase and is developing a very strong Board of Directors and leadership team. Sojourn Foundation will introduce a centralized point of entry for all child victims of sexual abuse and their families and provide high quality, evidence informed care and treatment for these children, regardless of their involvement with traditional systems of care. Sojourn will improve the care for and treatment of children who are affected by sexual exploitation in Southern Nevada by creating a ‘safe house.’ Our website is www.sojournfoundation.org.”
Congratulations on being recognized for your achievements in juvenile justice.
“Thank you. It was a great honor to be acknowledged by the Clark County Public Defender, Philip Kohn. He selected me for his annual Scott H. Waitt Award for excellence in criminal defense.”
What do you do when you’re not busy with the Foundation or your work with the juvenile justice system?
“I love spending time with my family. I’ve been married to my husband Randall for thirty years, and we’ve raised four children. I like physical activity and we have always enjoyed the outdoors, camping, hiking, biking and spending time at our cabin in Brian Head, Utah. I’m also a member of Developing Gardens and Family Farming, a nonprofit started by my daughters and their friends to create a community garden in the southeast part of the valley.”
If you could do any other job in the world, what would it be?
“I can’t see myself in any other job. I love what I do.”
Meet The Neighbor – Robert Shiroff, M.D.
By Callie Thomas
It seems apropos that accomplished cardiologist and 89052 resident Robert Shiroff was also a recipient of the American Heart Association’s Heart of Gold Award. If you’re going to trust your heart to any doctor, it should be someone with experience, compassion and a whole lot of heart.
Although born and raised in Philadelphia, Dr. Shiroff has been a Henderson resident for the past thirty-five years, and he fills the bill and then some. Along with Dr. Michael Sawaya, he created one of the largest cardiology practices in Nevada (then known as Cardiovascular Consultants of Nevada) and he has also served as the former Affiliate President of the American Heart Association on both a local and national level. Now retired, his current focus and passion is serving as a volunteer cardiologist and a board member of Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada (VMSN), a non-profit group that provides free quality health clinic services to the uninsured and unemployed in the community. Shiroff’s compassionate nature fits well with the culture at VMSN, which is built on caring for the neglected and unseen. It is estimated that one out of seven people are uninsured in America, and there are approximately 580,000 uninsured in Nevada alone. The volunteer medical team at VMSN provides preventative health care which reduces overall hospital costs and assists in ultimately decreasing taxpayer burden.
Shiroff is not only foremost in his field, he’s a loving husband to wife Angie, father to five children and grandfather to their soon-to-be nine grandchildren. He’s proud to give back to the community where he’s made his life. Shiroff talks about his experiences with the organization, his five rules for living and his love of theatre, particularly The King and I.
What prompted you to become involved with Volunteers in Medicine?
“You always hear that if you work hard, you will bear the fruits of your labor. Yet, there are so many people who are working hard and have found themselves struggling. They may have been laid off or experienced a medical emergency. I’m glad to lend a helping hand.”
You treated patients every day at your former practice. What is different about VMSN?
“No one said life is easy, and it’s not. Our patients just need that extra helping hand. I can feel their sincere appreciation when I see them and they know that someone really cares.”
The group recently had its annual star-studded fundraising ball. Were your efforts successful?
“More than $380,000 in donations was raised during the Fourth Annual Ball this past October. Over 500 guests attended and the event was emceed by Wayne Newton and featured other entertainment performances. With this support, we can improve the lives of so many of Southern Nevada’s working families as they persevere through difficult times.”
Of your many accomplishments, what are you most proud to have achieved?
“I am most proud of my children and their accomplishments – even more important, the kind of people they have become!”
As a father of five and grandfather of almost nine, you must have some words of advice?
“I have developed a few rules for living along the way:
- You are responsible for your actions and the consequences of your actions.
- You cannot control the actions of others; you CAN control your responses (back to rule 1).
- He who has the gold rules; if you pay for it, you decide how it goes!
- Pick the hill you are going to die on – in other words, pick your fights.
- As a parent, you have the right and responsibility to give advice to your children; they should listen with respect; they can do what they choose, unless rule #3 applies.”
So, if you weren’t a doctor, you’d be on Broadway as the King of Siam?
“I would love a career in theatre – singing, dancing and acting – if I had the talent!”
Meet The Neighbor – Cheryl Ruettiger
By Callie Thomas
As parents, we want to give our children every opportunity to fulfill their deepest dreams, whether that is becoming a baseball or football player, a pop singing sensation, the next great chef or even a movie or Broadway star. With a great deal of support and determination, anything is possible when you have someone like 89012 resident Cheryl Ruettiger making a difference in the community. Ruettiger has dedicated herself to helping youth fulfill their dreams as Executive Director of the Rudy Foundation, which she co-founded with her then husband, Rudy Ruettiger, the inspiration behind the blockbuster film Rudy. The Rudy Foundation is a nonprofit organization that recognizes those who aspire to fulfill their dreams through character, courage, contribution and commitment. Ruettiger has developed a series of scholarship showcases to benefit students and sports teams as well as theater and dance groups.
To meet Cheryl Ruettiger is to become immediately drawn by her genuine optimism, passion and enthusiasm for building helpful relationships, focusing on the good in people and creating experiences that positively impact the community. As a self-proclaimed night person, she works tirelessly into the later hours, creating and promoting programs for the foundation. This includes the upcoming Master of the House Showcase of ensemble musical theater talent that will feature productions performed by local high schools and theater groups in a competition to earn scholarship funds. Her own dream for this year is to build a theater where Las Vegas youth can come together to rehearse, perform and put on great shows for the community. Ruettiger talks about her passion for rewarding and encouraging young people for their accomplishments and the inspiration she draws from her own children.
This year, you are focusing on the performing arts through the Rudy Foundation?
“I am blessed to have had the opportunity to produce events for the Rudy Foundation and to work with so many influential performing arts leaders over the years. The experience I have acquired is a valuable part of my continued journey with talented youth and adults in America. It has greatly contributed to expanding my vision to realize my dream of funding a performing arts theater in Vegas and provide them with an opportunity to live their dreams.”
Tell us about the Master of the House Showcase.
“I’ve teamed with Erik Ball, the multi-talented director, producer, teacher, actor, singer and radio personality, to bring about this exciting production this month at Faith Lutheran. The competition provides local high schools and theater groups with an opportunity to earn scholarship funds. The show will be emceed by Maggie Wheeler, best known for her role as “Janice” on the hit TV show Friends. A professional panel will review the performances and award the top three groups, with the top honor of Master of the House going to the school earning the highest score. It’s fast-paced musical theater with a competitive edge and an element of surprise!”
What is the accomplishment you are most proud to have achieved?
“I will never forget giving birth to my kids, Danny and Jessica, right here in Vegas and creating the Rudy Foundation.”
What inspires you every day?
“My kids inspire me all the time. My son Danny loves soccer and hockey, and you can also catch him singing on the stage from time to time. My daughter Jessica loves the performing arts. Every day, you will find her singing, dancing or doing both performing in a show.”
Do you sing or dance?
“I like singing in the car! I’ve also enjoyed producing a short film called This is My Dream to share positive messages that help others believe in themselves and build character and confidence and overcome struggles on the journey to their dreams.”
Do you have a favorite life inspiration or quote you’d like to share?
“Let the rhythm of your heartbeat drive you toward your dreams.”
