Author: Illiana Banuelos

Yvonne Phan is an incredible student at Spring Valley High School, who is known to bring a smile to the faces of those around her. She is the only Valedictorian in her class who is not in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, making it a huge accomplishment to graduate at the top of her class. Yvonne’s hard work, dedication, and radiant personality are top tier. She is and will always be a Star Graduate at Spring Valley High School. Congratulations to Star Graduate Yvonne Phan of Spring Valley High School. Visit stargrads.ccsd.net to see more of CCSD’s 2025 Star Graduates.

Casey Szczepkowski is an exceptional high school senior whose journey has been marked by remarkable dedication and perseverance. He is eager to welcome new tasks and approaches every challenge with enthusiasm. Casey displays determination and works hard to achieve his goals. In addition to academics, Casey is a responsible and kind young man. He listens to instructions and demonstrates a willingness to help both his peers and staff. Casey’s use of a communication device has played a crucial role in enhancing his ability to engage fully in classroom activities, allowing him to participate effectively and interact with his teachers. Beyond…

LAS VEGAS – Agenda Item 3.01 – Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council Year in Review 2024-2025 The Clark County School District (CCSD) Board of School Trustees accepted a presentation from three members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC), which is comprised of 52 CCSD high school students. During its 2024-2025 review, SSAC identified two areas of focus: proactive safety and support systems, as well as student supports. SSAC recommended a student support working group allowing better access to social workers at schools, and an annual safety video that provides clear expectations of district-wide safety protocols. To view documents related to…

Kimberly Ordonez is an incredible young woman who stands out from her peers for her maturity and determination. Despite significant challenges during the last two years, Kimberly has maintained a positive outlook and remained steadfast in her goals. As part of the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative, a partnership with Nevada Gold Mines and College of Southern Nevada (CSN), Kimberly enrolled in numerous dual enrollment courses, both at Central Technical Training Academy and at CSN. When Kimberly graduates this May, she’ll be graduating not only with a high school diploma but also with a Certificate of Achievement in Advanced Manufacturing from CSN.…

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…