Favorite Sons & Daughters

View welcomes announcements of recent achievements of Favorite Sons & Daughters who have graduated from local high schools. Achievements may run the gamut from earning a college degree to successfully climbing Mount Everest. Please include the name of the area high school and year graduated. Send announcements and photos by mail to: Melissa Martin, View, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070; by fax to 477-3852; or by e-mail, referencing Favorite in the subject line, to mmartin@viewnews.com.

Ilana Atkins was selected to participate in the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) in Washington, D.C., from July 12-22. Atkins was one of approximately 350 students from around the country to participate in the conference. The theme of the event was The Leaders of Tomorrow Meeting the Leaders of Today. Throughout the 10 days, Atkins was able to interact with a variety of personnel that operate within the three branches of government, the news media and the international community.

Atkins is the daughter of James and Karen Atkins of North Las Vegas. She will be a junior this fall at Las Vegas Academy, where she majors in piano.

Erin Brunk was selected to attend the Junior National Young Leaders Conference (JrNYLC) along with 200 other middle school students from around the United States. Students that were selected traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the conference from July 16-21. Themed The Legacy of American Leadership, the conference introduced young people to the rich tradition of leadership throughout American history, while helping them to develop their own leadership skills. During the conference, students also visited historic national landmarks, including Colonial Williamsburg.

Brunk is the daughter of Jim and Tonia Brunk of Las Vegas. She will be a seventh-grader this fall at Faith Lutheran Junior/Senior High School.

Nathan C. Reynolds, Army Spc., assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division in Baumholder, Germany, recently completed a 15-month tour of duty in Iraq. After a 30-day leave he will return to Baumholder. Reynolds is the son of William and Theresa Zachary of Las Vegas, and a 2001 graduate of Eldorado High School.

Lauren Smith of Summerlin, who will enter seventh grade this fall at Faith Lutheran Junior/Senior High School, was one of 200 middle school students to travel to the nation's capital on a history seminar.

She was part of the Junior National Young Leaders Conference (JrNYLC) June 18-23. The trip included educational activities, as well as trips to historic sites in Washington, D.C., and Colonial Williamsburg. Smith is a straight A student and recently raised $500 for Light the Night Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. She also raised $600 at her bake sale that benefited a program to end child hunger in America.

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