- Las Vegas Sun News

2009 Sun Youth Forum Bios

Nearly 1,000 students participated in the 2009 Sun Youth Forum. Below are the biographies of some of those students who took part.

Erin McMaha
High School: College of Southern Nevada - South
Clubs/Activities: Student Council, National Honor Society
Favorite Book: "Loves Music, Loves to Dance"
Future Plans: Special Education - Autism
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 2 years
Where You Plan on Going to College: UNLV

Kaylan Poindexter
High School: College of Southern Nevada - South
Class: 2011
Clubs/Activities: Cheerleading, Dance, Reading
Future Plans: Graduating college.

Michael Aber
High School: Legacy
Class: 2010
Clubs/Activities: National Honor Society, Key Club, AP Club
Favorite Book: "It's Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini
Favorite Movie: "Donnie Darko"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: NOFX, Dead Kennedys, Blink 182
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Education
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: Oil industry
Future Plans: Journalist and magazine editor.
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: The crazy one who was super involved.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 10 years
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: Buffets
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: Pollution
Where You Plan on Going to College: UNR

Alexsis Neuman
High School: Eldorado
Class: 2010
Favorite Book: "Where the Wild Things Are"
Favorite Movie: "Child's Play"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: Michael Jackson
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Teen pregnancy
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: Economy
Future Plans: College, acting, maybe directing.
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: Being the funniest and most charismatic.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: My whole life.
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: The people.
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: Strip clubs
Where You Plan on Going to College: CSN or UNLV
Tell Us About Yourself in 100 Words or Less: I love Las Vegas. Maybe someday I'll move to California to be an actress or writer. I love to tease my hair and I love my family.

Lauren Balba
High School: Sierra Vista
Class: 2010
Clubs/Activities: DECA, College Club, Student Government, Key Club, Yearbook Staff
Favorite Book: "Twilight" saga series
Favorite Movie: "New Moon"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: Taylor Swift, Beyonce
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Family values and sex education lacking.
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: Our troops still in Iraq.
Future Plans: To major in architectural design.
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: As the girl who was really involved with school.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 10 years
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: Interactions and attractions.
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: People you meet who are materialistic.
Where You Plan on Going to College: UNR

Seth Mallernee
High School: Southeast Career Technical Academy
Class: 2010
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: Anything
Future Plans: College for 3-D animation.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 3 years
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: It's very diverse.
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: No rain.

Erik Jimenez
High School: Palo Verde
Class: 2010
Clubs/Activities: Internship with Sen. John Ensign.
Favorite Book: "Brave New World"
Favorite Movie: "The Godfather"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: Jazz - John Coltrane, Miles Davis
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Economy
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: Conflicts in the Middle East.
Future Plans: College, law school, career in politics.
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: As a person who always had the drive for success.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: All my life (17 years).
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: Everything is always open.
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: Traffic
Where You Plan on Going to College: UNR or UNLV.
Tell Us About Yourself in 100 Words or Less: I hope to finish college and enter a career in politics.

Evelynn M. Chavez
High School: Valley
Class: 2010
Clubs/Activities: Art Club
Favorite Book: "The Promise"
Favorite Movie: "The Notebook"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: Rock, Sublime
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Crime
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: Money
Future Plans: College or hair styling.
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: As the funny short girl with red hair.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 8 years
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: I can stay out late.
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: Not being able to gamble.
Where You Plan on Going to College: Not sure

William Pregman
High School: Coronado
Class: 2011
Clubs/Activities: Forensics
Favorite Book: "Misery" by Stephen King
Favorite Movie: "Pulp Fiction"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: Mostly rock, punk and metal.
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: The local economy.
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: Nuclear proliferation.
Future Plans: I want to obtain a degree in communication studies and become a college debate coach.
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: I want to be remembered as a helpful mentor and friend.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 15 years
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: The variety of entertainment.
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: The weather.
Where You Plan on Going to College: UNLV

Amanda Guffey
High School: Arbor View
Class: 2011
Clubs/Activities: Choir, Drama, Musical Theater
Favorite Book: "The Great Gatsby"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: Show tunes
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Economy
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: Nuclear warfare
Future Plans: Teaching or Broadway.
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: As the bubbly short girl who could sing.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 16 years
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: Milder climate.
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: Not much youth activities.
Where You Plan on Going to College: Roosevelt Conservatory
Tell Us About Yourself in 100 Words or Less: I am a happy girl that wants to make the most out of life. I sing, dance and act and want to pursue all those in the future. Though I do not know how my future will be, the excitement is figuring it out on the way.

Bailey Mintz
High School: Spring Valley
Class: 2011
Clubs/Activities: Speech and Debate Team
Favorite Book: "To Kill a Mockingbird"
Favorite Movie: "Funny Girl"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: Show tunes
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Education cuts
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: Declining global economy
Future Plans: College, Master's degree, career.
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: As a social butterfly with high academic merit.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 15.5 years
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: The weather.
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: The over-21 community.
Where You Plan on Going to College: Undecided, East Coast
Tell Us About Yourself in 100 Words or Less: I am a junior in high school. I take multiple advanced placement classes and am involved in the academic community. I am the vice president of the speech and debate team and love to participate in public events!

Colin Breslin
High School: Shadow Ridge
Class: 2010
Clubs/Activities: DECA, JROTC, Varsity Quiz/li>
Favorite Book: "Salem's Lot" by Stephen King
Favorite Movie: "The Shawshank Redemption"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: "Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps" by David Bowie
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Education
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: Iran nuclear situation
Future Plans: Study political science, become president.
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: The funny one.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 9 years
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: Weather
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: Too crowded

Damond Kelly Jr.
High School: Canyon Springs
Class: 2010
Clubs/Activities: Key Club, Debate, Varsity Quiz, Football
Favorite Book: "Brave New World"
Favorite Movie: "The Notebook"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: "Soundtrack 2 My Life" by Kid Cudi
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Education
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: War
Future Plans: Fiction novel writer
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: As the most intellectual.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 15 years
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: The people.
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: The weather.
Where You Plan on Going to College: Emerson College

Kristin Racel
High School: Shadow Ridge
Class: 2011
Clubs/Activities: STUCO, National Honor Society, Mustang Maniacs
Favorite Book: "Twilight"
Favorite Movie: "A Walk to Remember"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: Taylor Swift
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Education
Future Plans: College
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: For being well-known, active in my school and making it a better place.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 16 years (My whole life)
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: The connotation that people have of what Vegas is.
Where You Plan on Going to College: UNR

Jennifer Russell
High School: Rancho
Class: 2010
Clubs/Activities: Thespian Troupe 2145
Favorite Movie: "Pride and Prejudice"
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Universal health care
Future Plans: To major in communications.
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: As the girl that always helped others.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 15 years
Where You Plan on Going to College: UNLV

Ian Cattanach
High School: Shadow Ridge
Class: 2011
Clubs/Activities: Cross Country, Track
Favorite Book: "Slaughterhouse-Five"
Favorite Movie: "Pulp Fiction"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: Dead Kennedys
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Education
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: Middle East
Future Plans: College, FBI
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: As a smart, kind person who made people's high school career better.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 16 years
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: The beauty of the desert.
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: Heat
Where You Plan on Going to College: Utah State

Courtney Davis
High School: Palo Verde
Class: 2011
Clubs/Activities: Interact, Forensics, FBLA, History Club, Archery
Favorite Book: "Harry Potter," "Looking for Alaska"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: Brandi Carlile, British indie rock
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: Poverty
Future Plans: I plan to go to college.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: My entire life.
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: Everything stays open late.
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: The heat.
Where You Plan on Going to College: University of Washington

Beverly Wong
High School: Spring Valley
Class: 2010
Clubs/Activities: National Honor Society, Student Council, Senior Class Committee, French Club
Favorite Book: "Twilight" series
Favorite Movie: "Bride Wars"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: Taylor Swift
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Education
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: The economy.
Future Plans: Pediatrics nursing
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: As the sweet girl everyone knew and loved.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 9 years
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: The life outside the gambling scene.
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: Being depicted as coming from "Sin City."
Where You Plan on Going to College: University of Arizona, Sacramento State or UNLV
Tell Us About Yourself in 100 Words or Less: Hi, I'm Beverly Wong. I'm a hardworking person. I teach at a tutoring center and I want to become a nurse after college.

Estello Raganit
High School: Sierra Vista
Class: 2010
Clubs/Activities: Key Club President, National Honor Society, Editor-in-Chief of Newspaper, College Club, Cultural Society, Mu Alpha Theta
Favorite Book: "All But My Life" by Gerda Weissmann Klein
Favorite Movie: "Dead Poets Society"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: Anything from rock to R&B to gangster rap.
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Education
Future Plans: Become a dentist -- I love teeth.
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: As the guy who worked really hard and as everyone's friend. Can't go wrong with nice and smart.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 7 years
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: My friends
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: Access and exposure to alcohol, drugs, sex.
Where You Plan on Going to College: Stanford or Vassar
Tell Us About Yourself in 100 Words or Less: My name is Estello and I'd like ot believe I'm outgoing. I'm that random mixture of the class clown that can recite the elements. I'm unique and random.

Kasey Gardner
High School: Las Vegas Academy
Clubs/Activities: Paws for Change, Accolades school newspaper
Favorite Book: Too many
Favorite Movie: Too many
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: Animal Collective, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Education
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: The treatment of women in many African and Asian countries.
Future Plans: College to study anthropology.
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: My strong involvement on campus, starting animal rights club, for being well-informed and opinionated.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 2 years
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: The unique variety of people.
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: Not very kid friendly.
Where You Plan on Going to College: Colorado College

Marissa Skinner
High School: Eldorado
Class: 2010
Clubs/Activities: Yearbook, Student Council, Photo Club
Favorite Book: "The Great Gatsby"
Favorite Movie: "Zoolander"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: Anything and everything
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: The education system
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: Poverty
Future Plans: Marry someone who can provide for me very well.
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: As the one who did everything.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: Since forever
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: The sin
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: The heat
Where You Plan on Going to College: Southern Utah University
Tell Us About Yourself in 100 Words or Less: I love life. I do what I can to make it fun and I'm very happy all the time.

Michaela Thomas
High School: Basic
Class: 2010
Clubs/Activities: Basketball, Track and Field
Favorite Book: "Of Mice and Men"
Favorite Movie: "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: "Drop It Low Girl"
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: The fee for drivers test.
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: Genocide in Darfur
Future Plans: Going to college and becoming successful.
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: The girl that threw 45 feet in the shot put.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 16 years
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: The Strip
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: Curfew laws
Where You Plan on Going to College: Northern Arizona University

Edward Dale Villaros
High School: Basic
Class: 2010
Clubs/Activities: Football, Key Club, FBLA, Basketball, Track
Favorite Book: "Roots" by Alex Haley
Favorite Movie: "The Lion King"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: "King Leon" by Drake
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: School system
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: Job opportunities
Future Plans: Getting my degree in engineering.
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: As the hardworking football player.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: All my life.
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: The activities
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: The gambling
Where You Plan on Going to College: Howard University or Hampton University
Tell Us About Yourself in 100 Words or Less: I am an outgoing, fun, focused student who will make a difference in my community.

Robert Roeder
High School: Ed W. Clark
Class: 2010
Clubs/Activities: Student Council, Theater, Mu Alpha Theta
Favorite Book: "The Kite Runner"
Favorite Movie: "Fight Club"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: Anberlin
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Property/Homes
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: Iraq/Afghanistan
Future Plans: Engineering
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: As the kid who was friendly to everybody.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: My whole life
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: Lots to do
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: Too corrupt
Where You Plan on Going to College: University of Southern California

Lauren Hewitt
High School: Coronado
Class: 2010
Clubs/Activities: Forensics, Band, National Charity League
Favorite Book: "We the Living" by Ayn Rand
Favorite Movie: "Beauty and the Beast"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: Saosin
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Education funding
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: Booming industries of China and Japan
Future Plans: Medical school
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: The most opinionated.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 17 years
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: Being exposed to many diverse things.
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: Environment for young children.
Where You Plan on Going to College: University of Washington

Jade Vakilzadeh
High School: Coronado
Class: 2010
Clubs/Activities: Editor-in-Chief of Newspaper, Community Service, Internship for Las Vegas Review-Journal
Favorite Book: "Crime and Punishment," "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"
Favorite Movie: "The Prestige," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: The Silver Seas, Adele, Kanye West
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Education
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: War
Future Plans: Go to school for journalism and learn about publishing.
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: Queen of the underdogs.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 13 years
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: The diversity.
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: Lack of knowledge. People hate education.

Katie Koplow
High School: Centennial
Class: 2011
Clubs/Activities: Yearbook, Cross Country, National Honor Society, Track
Favorite Book: "Someone Like You"
Favorite Movie: "Pay It Forward," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
What's Are You Listening to on Your iPod: Rascal Flatts
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: School system
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: International relations
Future Plans: Environmental studies
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: A very outgoing and caring person.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 5 years
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: Year-round outdoor activities.
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: No snow for skiing.

Angelo Trevino
High School: Eldorado
Class: 2010
Favorite Movie: Horror
Current Nevada Issue That Most Concerns You: Education
Current World Issue That Most Concerns You: Health care
Future Plans: Involved in criminal justice.
How do You Want to be Remembered at Your High School Reunion: To be a relief and fun.
How Long Have you Been in Las Vegas: 6 years
Best Part About Living in Las Vegas: The different people.
Worst Part About Living in Las Vegas: Too many people.
Where You Plan on Going to College: Washington University
Tell Us About Yourself in 100 Words or Less: My name is Angelo. I was born in Portland, Ore. and lived in the countryside for many years. I love criminal justice and was a former bike rider. I traveled to Cuba for a few months and it was exciting. I enjoy having involvement in our community. I'm kind of outspoken and enjoy discussion.