Shawn Ritchie, Epicurean Charitable Foundation
Shawn Ritchie’s got a lot on his plate as the V.P. of Food & Beverage for Caesars Entertainment: Harrah’s Las Vegas, Flamingo Las Vegas, The Quad Resort & Casino and The LINQ. But although he’s a busy guy, he enthusiastically continues to support the Epicurean Charitable Foundation (ECF) as an advocate and seasoned Board Member. Providing full-ride scholarships and mentorship opportunities to financially-underprivileged local students interested in attaining careers in hospitality or the culinary arts, the foundation has donated more than $1.3 million to Clark County students since its inception and is currently providing the means for more than 15 young individuals to study at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Penn State University, Culinary Institute of America and other prestigious institutions.
Besides playing an active role in mentoring students, one, of many factors that’s responsible for 100% of scholarship recipients garnering employment in their chosen field, Ritchie is vested in helping hard working kids obtain their goals. “I am inspired by the students of ECF. They prove that no matter what family background, financial situation or other obstacles we face, hard work and determination can lead to achieving your dreams.” For information, visit www.ecflv.org.
Pat Byrne, Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada
Having served as the President of the Foundation for the Boys and Girls Club of Las Vegas for nearly 10 years, as well as serving as an Executive Committee Board Member for the clubs since 2007, Pat played a key role in structuring a recent merger that combined the Las Vegas and Henderson organizations – a move that resulted in one entity that better serves the youth of our city. “As a board member of both Las Vegas and the Foundation, I could see that both organizations suffered with separate and competing identities. Neither Club was confined to the geographic location in their name. Donors and friends of the Clubs were often confused and many did not even realize there were two separate organizations,” said Pat.
Along with the tireless efforts of Club CEO Ken Rubeli and countless other volunteers, the newly formed Boys and Girls Club of Southern Nevada serves more than 32,000 youth attending 14, year-round club houses and 3 summer outreach programs. It gives kids, many of whom are underprivileged, a positive place to hang out, do homework and learn responsibility. Pat, a busy guy with two boys of his own, is looking forward to an even brighter future for the organization, he adds, “ I am excited to continue my involvement as a member of the new combined Board.” Visit their website at www.bgcsnv.org.
Frank Lowery, Ironman 70.3 Silverman
It seems triathlons are big biz these days, but an Ironman, well that’s a race of a different breed. After crafting the original Silverman event back in 2005, Frank continued to direct this arduous display of athletic prowess until 2010. Silverman was then acquired by the World Triathlon Corporation, a.k.a Ironman. Working with them, alongside the City of Henderson, he’s been a key player in bringing thousands of athletes (and their tourist-spending wallets) to Henderson to compete in various Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events. Coming full circle, the Ironman 70.3 Silverman race will return this October, with Frank again at the helm. To the delight of returning and future athletes alike Frank adds, “I plan to continue to host the Silverman 70.3 triathlon in Henderson. I love race directing and being involved with triathlons around the world.”
Fran Smith, ITNLasVegasValley
After working tirelessly with the Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada, Fran took some well deserved time off to “recharge”. But philanthropy is in her DNA, so along with colleague Nancy Sprague, she soon established an affiliation of ITN Independent Transportation Network, a senior citizen transportation service with affiliates across the United States. With funding generously provided by the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), they were able to get the venture off the ground in less than a year, offering the elderly transportation around the city by way of volunteer drivers and a small staff. Recognizing the shortage of paratransit services, especially in age restricted communities like Anthem, the RTC again partnered with ITNLasVegasValley in 2011, providing retrofitted mini vans to accommodate wheel chair access. This collaboration resulted in ITN going from 100 rides per month to more than 3500 rides per month in a very short period of time.
“We exceeded 75,000 total rides by the end of 2013,” Fran commented. “More than 400 individuals per month are able to get to doctor’s appointments, work, day programs and worship services, while also having fun visiting friends and relatives or even the casinos. Seniors and individuals with disabilities are able to remain active, contributing members of the community thanks to their ability to get from place to place.” She adds, “It is truly gratifying to know we are making a difference.” For information on ITN services, visit www.itnlasvegasvalley.org.
Drew & Barbara Stevens, The Josh Stevens Foundation
In a brave effort to honor the spirit of their late son Josh, the Stevens family has created a worldwide initiative to encourage children to embrace being kind. The Josh Stevens Foundation has made great strides over the last few years, engaging 350 schools in 7 states while including children from Uganda via a Kind playground named after Josh. Since 2009, Drew has spoken to more than 300,000 kids about the importance of leaving a Kind legacy behind, while Barbara oversees all design aspects of the Foundation and their “Be Kind… like Josh” apparel, a major source of fundraising for the organization.
“Through the work of our family, along with foundation supporters, volunteers and staff, Josh will forever be known as the Kind kid who started a Kindness revolution,” says the Stevens family. “Barbara and I feel blessed to have so much support for Josh’s Foundation, and our family is so grateful that his heart continues to shine in our community and beyond.” To help further their mission of Kindness, visit www.joshstevensfoundation.org.
Nikki Berti, Goodie Two Shoes Foundation
Since being featured eight years ago, Nikki Berti, Co-Founder and CEO of Goodie Two Shoes Foundation has grown the organization from a single shoe distribution event, held once a year and run from her home, to providing thousands of Southern Nevada children with new shoes and renewed self esteem. With a permanent warehouse and 48-foot mobile shoe-store-on-wheels, the Foundation outfits 10,000 Southern Nevada children in need via 25 coordinated and scheduled school-based shoe distribution events held September to May, each school year. They recently hit an impressive milestone of outfitting 40,000th kids this past October, distributing 20,000 pairs of those sneakers in the past two years alone.
“We don’t just hand a child a pair of new shoes” says Berti, when asked what makes Goodie Two Shoes different than other organizations. “We make the participants the center of attention and empower them with choice by giving them the opportunity to select any pair of shoes from our traveling inventory of high-quality athletic shoes, just like the ones their friends at school might be wearing.” To help them grow, visit www.goodietwoshoes.org
10 Years of Meet the Neighbor
From our very first issue 10 years ago, we embarked on a mission to bring attention to all that’s good in our community. Tired of negative press and news stories that did nothing to bring positivity to our daily lives, we decided to shine the spotlight on those who were making a difference. We caught up with a few of those special people, all of whom continue to make Las Vegas and Henderson a place we’re proud to call home. We’re truly grateful for what you, and many others in this community have done to create a better future for all.
Click on the links below to see what they’re up to:
Nikki Berti, Goodie Two Shoes Foundation | 2006
Drew and Barbara Stevens, Josh Stevens Foundation | 2009
Fran Smith, ITNLasVegasValley | 2007
Frank Lowery, Ironman 70.3 Silverman | 2005
Pat Byrne, Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada | 2006
Shawn Ritchie, Epicurean Charitable Foundation | 2007
Staci Columbo Alonso, Noah’s Animal House | 2006
Stacey Escalante, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network | 2010
Jeff Roberts, Springs Preserve & Desert Living Center | 2008
Paige Candee & Paula Lawrence, Dress for Success | 2011
Bryce Smith
Sierra Vista High School
Class of 2008
This lover of numbers went on to study engineering and math at Northern Arizona University and still maintains the same drive and love for the moment that he had when we met him in high school. He currently lives in Flagstaff and works for a leading supplier of tissue, personal care, and forest products. He credited Las Vegas for challenging him and preparing him for his destined future, and discussed with us how his outlook has changed since graduation day.
Where are you currently living?
I am currently living in Flagstaff, Arizona.
What field are you working in and how did you end up doing what you’re doing?
I am working as an operations support at SCA, which is one of the world’s leading suppliers of tissue, personal care, and forest products.
What achievements/recognitions are you most proud of since graduation?
After Sierra Vista High School I studied at Northern Arizona University, where I earned my bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics.
Are you married? Children? Pets?
I am currently single and have no pets. However, my roommates have 2 dogs and a cat.
How did growing up in Henderson/Las Vegas have an impact on the person you are today?
The opportunities that I have had growing up in Las Vegas have helped me be ready for the challenges of life in the future.
Has your outlook on life and/or work changed since high school? If so, how?
I am just beginning to understand to not take life for granted and enjoy every experience given. There is no way of knowing what will happen tomorrow so take pleasure in the world today.
How did you feel when you were featured as A Step Above and what kind of feedback did you receive?
I was thrilled being featured as A Step Above Student. Every person that has been interviewed greatly deserved this honor. My family and friends were proud that I was a part of it.
Favorite Quote to Live By:
“How often do we try to cross off the days and wait for “the next big thing” or our “next day off?” Our time is limited here, so let’s not waste any day. Find enjoyment even in your hardships and mundane tasks. It’s all part of the experience.” -April Cheung
Jessica Buckley
Coronado High School
Class of 2008
Jessica took her hard working attitude and competitive spirit many places after high school graduation. She played rugby and studied engineering at the University of San Diego (becoming an ARCS scholar and presenting her work at both the National Conference on Undergraduate Research and the International Mechanical Engineering Conference and Exposition in 2011), conducted research at Purdue and even took some time to study abroad in Australia. She’s now happily pursuing a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in Colorado, and fondly remembers her time as A Step Above.
Where are you currently living?
Golden, Colorado
What field are you working in and how did you end up doing what you’re doing?
I am currently attending Colorado School of Mines for a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering. I wanted to get additional research experience before entering the workforce full-time and saw it as an ideal time to try a new place for a couple years.
What achievements/recognitions are you most proud of since graduation?
I am most proud of the experiences I have had that shape who I am today. Studying abroad in Australia was the single best decision I made in college, giving me a better perspective of the world and a new understanding of independence. Being an ARCS Scholar allowed me to undertake undergraduate research and present my work at both the National Conference on Undergraduate Research and the International Mechanical Engineering Conference and Exposition in 2011. Attending the University of San Diego and completing the Honors Program allowed me to pursue a degree in engineering while still developing a strong core curriculum for a more holistic worldview. Among the many projects involved in an engineering education, my favorite was constructing an acoustic guitar for our Machine Shop course. From playing rugby in San Diego to researching at Purdue to moving to Colorado to returning home to Henderson, I cannot imagine living the last 6 years any differently because I would not have the network of friends and mentors, the lessons learned, or the memories that ground me wherever I happen to be.
B.S./B.A. from the University of San Diego in Mechanical Engineering, Honors Program, Summa Cum Laude, January 31, 2013
Are you married? Children? Pets?
Nope. My golden retriever Rylie still lives at home and she will be 12 this year (she actually was in the 89012 picture). My little sister Megan will start high school this fall.
How did growing up in Henderson/Las Vegas have an impact on the person you are today?
I think how you spend your time and the people you spend it with have a much greater effect on who you are becoming than the actual place. Perhaps I would have been different if I had grown up somewhere else, but I can’t really know that. I liked being grounded in one place, but since I graduated, I have immensely enjoyed living in different places, learning new things, and forming new relationships along the way. On a more mundane note, I now have a greater appreciation for 24-hour gas stations and snow-free roads.
Has your outlook on life and/or work changed since high school? If so, how?
I feel like I have grown not into a different person but perhaps a more open-minded person. Most of my ideas are similar, but I have a better appreciation for the importance of balancing hard work with fun and good memories and making the best of wherever you are.
How did you feel when you were featured as A Step Above and what kind of feedback did you receive?
I was very honored to receive the recognition and hoped to be a good role model among the many students who excelled in so many different ways. I received congratulations from family, friends, and other members of the Coronado community.
Favorite Quote to Live By:
“To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better… to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Carter Jones
Coronado High School
Class of 2007
After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Samford University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and getting a Master of Arts degree in Policy Economics, Carter has returned to Henderson to pursue a unique and challenging position with the Station Casinos as an operations analyst. Just like when we interviewed her as she graduated from high school, Carter still puts people and virtue above all else. She remembers how her move to our community changed her life.
Where are you currently living?
I moved back to Henderson this past May after six years of school in Birmingham and New Orleans. Since my parents no longer live in town, I have a great opportunity to get to know Las Vegas as an independent young adult. The most exciting thing about being back home is seeing the revival of downtown. Las Vegas seems to be developing a new cultural identity outside of suburbia and the strip, and I love that young adults are at the forefront of creating this community and infusing new energy into the city.
What field are you working in and how did you end up doing what you’re doing?
I am working in the gaming industry; specifically, I am an operations analyst for a casino in town. After I finished my masters in May, I wanted to find a job where I could use my economics, mathematics, and analysis skills. In high school, I never pictured myself working in gaming; however, I now consider myself extremely blessed to work in such a unique, fun, and challenging industry where I can learn and grow professionally.
What achievements/recognitions are you most proud of since graduation?
I graduated from Samford University summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration degree. Two years later, I earned my Master of Arts degree in policy economics. While I excelled in school, I am most proud of the friendships that I developed while in college and graduate school; they are relationships that I believe I’ll have for the rest of my life.
How did growing up in Henderson/Las Vegas have an impact on the person you are today?
When I moved to Henderson during high school, I experienced an initial welcoming and friendliness from my classmates and teammates that I never expected. A town is all about its people, and in my experience, I have met some of the most genuine, kind, and fun individuals while living in Henderson. I made incredible friends who, despite their own busy schedules, were willing to invest time into getting to know me. Las Vegas is a city of ‘transplants,’ people from elsewhere looking for a place to fit in. My friends from Coronado High School showed me what it means to really care about a person and what it takes to develop deep friendships.
Has your outlook on life and/or work changed since high school? If so, how?
My outlook on life has changed from focusing on ‘what I do’ to ‘who I am.’ In high school, I thought that success in life was defined only by what I could become. Jobs change and hobbies become boring but who I am, what I stand for, and who my friends are remain throughout life.
And when my life is over, I don’t want people to remember me for some laundry list of my accomplishments and jobs; I want them to recall that I treated people with respect and kindness and had strong values and integrity. Living a happy life isn’t only about achieving great professional success, but instead it’s about having a positive influence on those around you every day.
How did you feel when you were featured as A Step Above and what kind of feedback did you receive?
I felt very honored to be featured as ‘A Step Above’; it was a goal of mine in high school to make the magazine as a student, and my friends and family were all proud of me. The best feedback I received after the magazine came out was from my parents: I was allowed to be excited about the article for only a few days, but I couldn’t rest on my laurels. I used the article as motivation to work harder and accomplish more. Every day is a chance to fulfill another goal and push toward becoming a better person.
Favorite Quote to Live By:
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.”
-C.S. Lewis
