Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: Students honored at Augustus Society banquet

With the enviable record of having dispersed $500,000 in direct scholarships to local students, the Augustus Society once again hosted its annual awards banquet. Honored were graduating high school seniors, undergraduates from colleges and universities and a surprisingly large number of graduate students in medical schools and other advanced programs, each of Italian-American descent, who met the high standards for both academic and financial need.

Welcoming attending members and guests to the Sunday event at the Italian American Club was Judge Tony Abbatangelo, president of the Augustus Society, joined by Leonard Sbrocco, chairman of the board, and Nik Mastrangelo, board member. Seen in the crowd of supporters were Tony and Bobette Tegano, Norman Luoni, Assemblywoman Genie Ohrenschall and her daughter, as well as Robert and Barbara LePomme and Nick Montano. Attending as a family were Paul and Margaret Russitano with daughter, Jeanne, joined by University Regent Mark Alden and Nancy and Steve Giorgione, in addition to Michael DeRogatis, who will travel to Italy later this year for an intensive language study program.

Keynote speaker was prominent Las Vegas attorney Dominick Gentile, principal founder of the Augustus Society, who gave a fascinating speech on the roots and heritage of Italian-Americans. Selecting the 20 scholarship recipients, each of whom received $2,000 checks, were scholarship committee members Tom Barberini, Jon Jannotta, Vince Ricci, Andrea Boggs and Nevada State School Board Trustee Frank Matthews. Donors were individuals from the Society's generous membership, as well as the Nevada Society of Italian-American Lawyers, the Italian-American Club and organizers of the Columbus Day Ball. Renewable scholarship awards were given to entering college students, as well as those in graduate programs, including Phillip Piccinini, a third-year student attending the University of Nevada School of Medicine.

Opera lunch

Nevada Opera Theatre Guild once again scored a triumph with its lovely Friendship Luncheon Internationale. Held in Caesars Palace's new tower, the Sunday occasion was delight to the eye, ears and taste buds as the carefully-planned decor of the various tables, exquisite musical entertainment and delectable luncheon blended in harmony for a perfect afternoon.

Table sponsors -- among them Denny Weddle with his sons, Dana and Denny Jr. and daughter-in-law, Kathy Weddle -- chose their themes and decorated accordingly, with the Weddle clan calling upon Denny's years as an ace pilot with the Thunderbirds for inspiration. Equally tasteful in their designs were Lia and Joseph Roberts (Rumania), Sheila McKay with Barbara Hanlon-Aronson (France), Mabel Murray of Trudi Furs (Hold Hands For Peace), Joy Bell of Ennis Furnishings and Jean Henao (Lalique at the Beach) and another two dozen creative displays which charmed us all.

Attending guests, greeted by luncheon chair Tove Allen, festive in her native costume from Denmark, included: Susan Tompkins, Cheryl Panos, Helen Stock, Nevada's comptroller Kathy Augustine, Kadell and Leezie Kremer, Elaine Fish, Pilar Lum, Elisa Del Prado, M.J. and Jack Harvey and emcee David Griego, as well as Andrea Thomas, Marie Ascolillio, Sandra Long and Mary Ann Hantout.

Honorees Colleen Schroeder and Hans Dorweiler, both steadfast supporters of NOT for more than a decade, were recognized in ceremonies led by artistic director Eileen Hayes and Tove Allen, NOT Guild president. Splendid performances included many of the NOT artists, among them Dr. Morton Hyson, Heather Klein, Courtney Moy and Ben Letvinoff, with special guest Karen Anderson and accompanist Peter Brugel. Also appearing were the charming children of White Eagle School, a program of the Polish-American Center of Las Vegas. Enjoying the afternoon were opera supporters Fred and Vi Gorte, Joe LaVigna, Vasilli Sulich, Norman Cain and Suzanne and Frank Faracce.

Women's conference

Five-hundred strong, members of Hadassah's Women of the West met in Las Vegas last week for a conference featuring a plethora of notable speakers, as well as the presentation of Distinguished Achievement Awards. Honored by the national organization was philanthropist and Las Vegas resident Dr. Miriam Adelson, joined by others including: political scientist Dr. Ellen Cannon, Holocaust expert Prof. Michael Bazyler, Middle East commentator Dr. Sabi Shabtai, senior medical advisor of the U.S. Public Health Service, Dr. Saralyn Mark, and Swiss bank guard Christop Meili, who saved important Holocaust banking documents from destruction.

Among the conference's many special moments was a classical evening provided by Michele and Michael Berk in the elegant House of Blues Foundation Room atop Mandalay Bay. The invitation-only affair was a time to recognize Prof. Shmuel Penchas, most recently the director-general of Hadassah Medical Organization, Bonnie Lipton, president-elect of the National Hadassah, and performing guest soloist/international pianist Ory Shihor. The Berks, joined by their assisting friends Sandy and Roger Peltyn, greeted arrivals Arlene Blut and Carol Spiegel, Olga Scheel, Neil Huffey and Bernice Davidson with Zoey Brown. They made all welcome in the Moroccan-influenced room with its panoramic views of our sparkling city.

Special guests included in the coveted evening were Steven and Chantal Cloobeck, Connie Stevens, "Divine Divas" producer Papote Varet with Pierre Jovan, Sheldon and Dr. Miriam Adelson, Mahlon Brown and Clair and Michael Zeto, of the Las Vegas Social Register. Enjoying the ambiance of the party as well were Eleanore and Edward Doumani, University Regent Mark Alden, Joan and Robert Deiro, Isabel Pfiefer, Mahlon Brown, Angie Wallin and Andy and Janet Blumen.

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