Author: Illiana Banuelos

Tensae Mekonnen is a leader in both her classes and on campus. As a salutatorian candidate, her dedication to academic success and her willingness to lead and support her peers have set her apart. She will attend Smith College in Massachusetts on a full QuestBridge scholarship. Tensae aspires to become a software developer for a start-up while also teaching Computer Science to marginalized children and communities. She is interested in the role of machine learning and artificial intelligence in education and hopes to conduct research on these topics, particularly in high school settings. Additionally, she has a strong interest in…

The College of Southern Nevada High School – East congratulates Mesay Adonay Tamrat as a 2025 Star Graduate. Mesay is an incredible young man who is bright, athletic, artistic, and kind. He plays classical bass, practices jiu-jitsu, and tutors children in science and coding. His life’s goal is to create trash-collecting robots to clean up the world. If anyone can do it, Mesay is the man for the job. Despite several life challenges, Mesay will be graduating from high school with a double associate’s degree in computers and programming. Additionally, Mesay stands out for his commitment to inspiring younger students…

Students from across the District will participate in the 14th annual National Bike & Roll to School Day.  To celebrate, students at James E. & A. Rae Smalley Elementary School will hold a parade with everyone making their way to campus in style by biking, rolling, or walking!  This event encourages students, staff, families, and other community members to learn about safe, walkable routes while building community.

Happy School Nurse Day!  Our school nurses have the important task of promoting and supporting each student’s social, emotional, and physical well-being of our students.  Make sure to thank your school nurse for everything they do!  To learn more about the Student Health Services Department, visit https://ssd.ccsd.net/health-services/. 

Emmy Cornwall, a standout senior and Star Graduate at Moapa Valley High School, has earned her place at the top of her class through dedication and perseverance. An all-around student, Emmy has excelled both academically and in extracurricular activities, showcasing her talents in soccer, softball, ceramics, and painting. Her creativity and athleticism reflect her well-rounded character and commitment to personal growth. Emmy has transformed challenges into strengths, developing a deep sense of empathy, patience, and understanding for others. These qualities have shaped her into a compassionate leader and a supportive friend, admired by peers and teachers alike. Beyond academics and…

Wing Fong came to the United States at the age of 13 and graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1946. He was heavily engaged in civic and philanthropic activities and would donate money to several organizations. He met Lilly Fong while attending Woodbury College in California. They then married in 1950. Lilly Fong was the first Asian American to be hired by the Clark County School District. She taught at the historic Fifth Street School for five years. In 1952, she was recognized as an outstanding teacher in Clark County. Hard work and dedication have marked the Wing and…

Jadyn Guerino is an exceptional candidate for the Star Graduate recognition due to her remarkable resilience, leadership, and commitment to both her academic and extracurricular pursuits. Despite facing significant adversity and life challenges at a young age, Jadyn persevered and emerged as a beacon of strength for her peers. Her leadership skills were demonstrated through her roles as student body president, class president, varsity volleyball team captain, and varsity basketball team captain, where she inspired and guided her fellow students to success. She also served as a student representative on the School Organizational Team. Beyond academics and athletics, Jadyn dedicated…

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Throughout the week, over 18,000 dedicated licensed personnel will be celebrated in our District. Our educators are the backbone of the District and make an impact on the lives of students that extends beyond the classroom.  We can’t wait to celebrate our educators for showing up and educating the children of Southern Nevada.  Take a moment to thank our educators and let them know how they’ve made a difference in your students’ lives.  Make sure to tag us on social media and use hashtag #TeacherAppreciationWeek to show us how you’re celebrating!  Additionally, a few of the…

Tristan Winburn, a determined and resilient young man, grew up in a life shaped by poverty and instability. From a young age, he faced numerous challenges, including homelessness and a lack of financial resources. Despite these obstacles, Tristan never gave up on his dreams of education and success. Tristan has worked tirelessly to maintain good grades, applying for scholarships and colleges despite the numerous setbacks. His hard work paid off when he was accepted into the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), a dream he had fought for through years of adversity. Tristan has been financially independent since age 16 and…

Gavin Addington is an amazing example of what Laughlin High School has to offer. He’s been active in various sports during his time here including basketball, wrestling, baseball, and football. He’s an integral part of our school pride/community, and he participates in the school’s student council and Interact functions. Gavin is always friendly and helpful to everyone on campus, staff and students. He has a very laidback and calm attitude which is useful in stressful situations as he navigates life. He has done well academically in his Advanced Placement (AP), honors, and dual credit Courses. Gavin holds employment and has…