Nevada nonprofit gives bipartisan endorsements for state Legislature

Nevada State Legislature in Carson City, Nevada Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Photo by: Wade Vandervort

Battle Born Kids Matter, an affiliate of the Nevada education nonprofit Opportunity 180, has gotten into political endorsements with a bipartisan selection of candidates for the state Legislature and North Las Vegas City Council.

The endorsed candidates are:

• Edgar Flores, Democrat, Senate District 2

• James Ohrenschall, Democrat, Senate District 21

• Duy Nguyen, Democrat, Assembly District 8

• Venise Karris, Democrat, Assembly District 10

• Howard Watts, Democrat, Assembly District 15

• Shea Backus, Democrat, Assembly District 37

• Tracy Brown-May, Democrat, Assembly District 42

• Jason Patchett, Republican, Assembly District 19

• Blayne Osborn, Republican, Assembly District 39

• Esmeralda Villeda, North Las Vegas City Ward 1

• Ida Zeiler, North Las Vegas Ward 3

Battle Born Kids Matter said it evaluated candidates on their education priorities and policy positions for the region and state.

CCSD maintains music ed streak

The Clark County School District Music Education Program just earned the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the National Association of Music Merchants for the 24th time.

To qualify for the Best Communities designation, CCSD answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, participation in music classes, instructional time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

CCSD is one of about 1,000 school districts nationwide to receive the honor this year.

Smith Center names best in high school theater

Las Vegas-area students took home almost all of the honors at the 2026 Nevada High School Musical Theater Awards on May 3.

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts honored the following students at a live show and ceremony at Reynolds Hall:

• Outstanding Lead Actor: Micah Giron, Carson High School

• Outstanding Lead Actress: Emily Leonard, Spring Valley High School

• Spotlight Award (Lead Actor Runner-Up): Gavin Rodriguez, Lake Mead Christian Academy

• Spotlight Award (Lead Actress Runner-Up): Eliana Abramson, Liberty High School

• Spirit of Broadway Award (Chosen by Peers): Brady Rotello, Doral Academy Red Rock High School

• Spirit of Broadway Award (Chosen by Peers): Shaylee Cooley, Centennial High School

• Spirit of Broadway Award (Chosen by Creative Team): Michael Biasella, Centennial High School

• Spirit of Broadway Award (Chosen by Creative Team): Devyn Kellner, Carson High School

• Outstanding Supporting Performer: David Lee, Doral Academy Red Rock High School

• Outstanding Supporting Performer: Kaylee Grewe, Lake Christian Academy

• Outstanding Student Lighting Technician: Aria Quesada-Mathis, Bishop Gorman High School

• Outstanding Student Stage Manager: Henry White, Bishop Gorman High School

• Outstanding Student Stage Manager: Ioanna Ge, The Meadows School

• Outstanding Student Audio Technician: Olivia Pusateri, Bishop Gorman High School

• Outstanding Student Reporter: Autumn Grace Tabb, Palo Verde High School

• Outstanding Costume Design and Creation: Centennial High School

• Outstanding Set Design and Construction: Del Sol Academy of the Performing Arts

• Outstanding Lighting Design and Execution: Sierra Vista High School

• Outstanding Direction: Bishop Gorman High School

• Outstanding Ensemble: Faith Lutheran Conservatory of the Fine Arts

• Outstanding Choreography Execution: Doral Academy Red Rock High School

• Outstanding Audio Design and Execution: Coronado High School

• Outstanding Student Orchestra: The Meadows School

• Outstanding Overall Musical: Spring Valley High School

In the months leading up to the event, the Smith Center enlisted a team of impartial theater professionals to attend the productions of nominated high schools to judge shows. A panel of five judges completed the process at the final live show.

Giron performed “His Kiss, the Riot” from "Hadestown" and Leonard performed “Flowers,” also from "Hadestown." They will travel to New York City for 10 days in June to compete in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards after theater producer James M. Nederlander.

Their trip will include private coaching, master classes, rehearsals with renowned professionals, and a chance to perform onstage at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway.