Wednesday, March 19, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
BISHOP GORMAN is more than a high school. For many, it serves as the bridge to confident young adulthood.
Alumni, almost legendary in their giving, annually gather with their parents and other supporters for Gorman's Knight of the Gael. The dinner event honors those who have distinguished themselves through service to school and community.
Awarded the 1997 Royal Order of the Gael was University Regent Thalia Dondero, mother of five and grandmother of a new generation of Gorman students.
Held at Palace Station hotel-casino, the event's guest list and committee read like a top tier of "Who's Who in Nevada," including Frank and Vicki Fertitta, Rene and John O'Reilly, J.A. Tiberti, Gov. Bob Miller and Mary Cashman, each of whom were previous honorees.
Mixing easily at the opening reception were Judge Bill and Nora Jansen, Tom and Lynn Wiesner, Phyllis McGuire, Corrine Tiberti, Dr. Monte and Jeanne Greenawalt, Rhonda Evans, and Dema and Kenny Guinn as well as North Las Vegas Mayor Jim Seastrand, Izzy Marion and Dolores Kelly.
Extending their best wishes to Dondero were Judge John Medoza, Craig Hawkins and his mom, Romietta, Dom Cambeiro, Barbara Campbell, Rossi and Mary Jo Ralenkotter, and Sue and Barry Becker. Nearby, with guests Elise Ax, Carol Tipton and Karla McComb, was Jean Nidetch, who's thrown her foundation behind the Teen Reach effort to feed the overlooked population of homeless high school students.
Leading off the program was Joseph Moller, 1997 senior class president, and honors student Jaymie Profico, both of them students assisted by Gorman's scholarship-outreach program, which helps fund tuition for one in four of the school's students. Rev. Thomas von Behren, president, spoke of the decision to cap Gorman's enrollment at 1,100 and then announced the scores of letters and commendations honoring Dondero.
Gov. Miller personally bestowed the Nevada state proclamation, as did Commissioner Lorraine Hunt on behalf of the Clark County Commission.
Looking on as Dondero accepted a crystal statue of an angel in recognition of the Royal Order of the Gael were James Olson and his Gorman-graduate wife, Candace Collins Olson, Garth and Karen Winckler, Johnny and Sue Mowbray, Janice Tanno and Robert Sparks with his mother and fellow alumni member, Carolyn Morledge Sparks.
Further recognition was made to past Royal Order of the Gael honorees with a special tribute to the late Roberta Gaughan. Mrs. Gaughan and her husband, Jackie Gaughan, were selected as Bishop Gorman's first honorees in 1983, when the school instituted the Knight of the Gael.
Completing the evening was the announcement of the winning ticket for the 1997 Saturn, donated by Cliff Findlay of Saturn of West Sahara and Henderson. Dr. Don MacKay was the lucky new owner and credits the zealous selling techniques of the Bishop Gorman cheerleaders, led by Leslie Denton, for his luck. Ticket sales will fund Internet services throughout the school.
Variety Club
The worthy members of Tent 39, Variety Club of Southern Nevada, are drawn from the world of entertainment as well as sports and business. Variety Club is unique in its approach and results. It not only serves to fund its long-established Variety School for Handicapped Children and Variety Day Home Child-Care Center, but spreads like an umbrella over other agencies assisting children who are often overlooked, underprivileged or challenged by handicaps.
In the past year alone, Tent 39 has provided activity vans to a dozen child-oriented facilities, among them Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA, Opportunity Village, St. Jude's Ranch and New Horizon School. Its efforts on behalf of Variety School and Variety Day Home are unceasing.
Variety Club's recent dinner at the Top of the Riv was a magnificent affair, arrangement by chairmen Susan and Ken Sullivan Jr. with a committee of working members, including Lu and Judge Jack Lehman, Leona Gennis, Vern and Doris Christensen, Kimberly and Joel Laub, Dr. Anthony and Renee Marlon and others. Entertainment, interspersed with awards honoring those of our community who have helped the handicapped and unprivileged, provided for a splendid evening.
Gathering for the black-tie occasion were Las Vegas' leaders, among them Dee and Ken Ladd, Trish and Phil Shapiro, Tom Schaus, Harley and Cleo Harmon, Christianne and Marcel LeBon, Jean Wright, Mary Vincent and Barbara Teel as well as James Bradham, president of the American Bank of Commerce, who was given the Heart of Variety Award later in the evening. With Bradham was his bride, C.J., close friends and associates.
Replacing an unexpectedly ill Monty Hall as emcee was the masterful Nick Lewin, who stars in the Maxim hotel-casino's "Comedy Magic." He introduced a parade of entertainment that ranged from Lezlie Anders and her orchestra to magician Valentino of the Stratosphere's "Viva Las Vegas" to singer Bob Anderson, honoree Sonny King with son Christopher and comedian Pat Cooper.
Seated for perfect vantage of the stage and program were Peggy and Wayne Bernath with magician Fielding West, while nearby were Ted and Maria Quirk, Florence Troutman, Jim Marsh and Judge Fran Fine, as well as Joe Brandise, Mickey Stratton, Vivian Cook, Susan Walters and Toni Clark with Larry Finuf.
Recognized during ceremonies were developer William "Billy" Walters (corporate), hockey star Clint Mylarchek and golfer Robert Gamez (sportsman), magician-turned-manager Peter Raveen (master showman), comedian Sonny King (lifetime achievement), Culture Shock/Hip Hop (Young Variety), SUN publisher Barbara Greenspun (print media), anchorwoman Paula Francis (television media), Jacor Broadcasting, KFM 102-FM (radio media).
Helping with the presentations were Joe Delaney, Phyllis McGuire, Sue Lowden and Tent 39 Chief Barker John Haycock with his father, Clair.
Sprinkled throughout the audience were educators, including Principal Barbara Fox of Twin Lakes Elementary, along with Cynthis Sherman, Betty Anderson, Robert Lederman and Sister Diane of Variety Day Home, who sees directly the benefits of Variety Club's efforts. Other supporters seen in the crowd included Dr. Tom Wright with past Chief Barker of Tent 39 Marjorie Barrick, in addition to Vi and Fred Gorte, Helene Brus, Jenny Oakes, Charlene Herst, Kitty Rodman and Diane Fearon with Michael Toigo.
Grandparents at school
Like many schools, Tobler Elementary welcomes the caring interest of its students' grandparents. On Friday, Grandparents Day will be celebrated on this campus in the northwest sector.
The morning will begin with a speech of welcome and appreciation, followed by a continental breakfast and a short school tour.
Last year, more than 200 grandparents attended with their grandchildren. In an effort to extend the special celebration to those living out of town, the date was scheduled for the last day before school breaks for spring vacation, in hopes that arriving relatives could join in the fun.
If you are a grandparent or expect family visitors, you may wish to inquire at your student's school concerning its plans for a similar event.
Her 'Inspiration'
Helping to change the uneven nature of Las Vegas' image in the 1990s are scores of resident professionals and their families who call our city home. A case in point is Christine Datian, a free-lance writer and technical editor.
An article she wrote, "My Inspiration," was nationally published in the Feb. 4 edition of Woman's World Magazine. Outlining her determination to begin again, a new life, alone in our city, Christine writes generously of her beloved aunt's advice and encouragement, which gave her strength to make new choices.
A resident since 1989, Datian and her husband, Johnny, enjoy life in Southern Nevada and hope to become parents soon. A graduate of California State University, Fresno, with a master's degree in mass communication, Datian is serving as technical editor-writer for an engineering and construction firm in Las Vegas.
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