Girls' honors

Thirty-three student athletes recognized at annual ceremony

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Thirty-three athletes considered the most talented and intelligent in the Clark County School District were recognized at the fifth annual Celebration of Young Women Athletes held May 25 at Texas Station.

The honorees, accompanied by coaches and parents, each received a certificate of accomplishment, a plaque, and a year's membership at the Las Vegas Athletic Club, which hosted the event.

Club executive vice president Chad Smith opened the ceremonies and the Green Valley High School Madrigals, under the direction of Kim Drusedum, sang "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Lauren Kohut-Rost, chief academic officer for the school district, offered some congratulatory remarks.

"My wish to each of you as you move toward the even greater goals and accomplishments in your life is that you are able to continue to capitalize on the attributes that brought you here today," she said. "And that you always remember the first reason why you got involved in sports ... is that they are fun. Don't lose that. Keep that as you prepare for each and every day of your life ... the same intensity, the same level of enthusiasm and passion as you used to prepare for your next competition."

After a taped congratulatory remark from Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, KVBC-TV, Channel 3 news anchors Beth Fisher and Nina Radetich began the presentation of the athletes, who were dubbed the best of the best by their respective high schools.

Honored were Stacey Brinkman of Arbor View High School, a volleyball and soccer standout for the first-year school; Amber Purdie of Basic, a star on the Wolves' state semifinal basketball team; Katie Avena of Bishop Gorman, who starred in cross country, soccer and track and field for the Gaels; and Joyce Delp of Bonanza, a star on the Bengals basketball and softball teams and a member of the National Honor Society.

Other honorees were Julie Stajszczak of Boulder City High School, a star on the Eagles' soccer, basketball and softball teams; Cahlin Harris of Canyon Springs, who participated in basketball, golf and track and field; Kristina Kline of Centennial, a volleyball, golf and basketball standout who helped the Bulldogs win three state hoops title from 2003-05 and a member of the All-State academic team; and Kim Polido of Chaparral, the Cowboys' MVP in basketball who also ran track and is headed to UNLV this fall.

Also recognized were Michelle Smith of Cheyenne, the Desert Shields soccer team's Rookie of the Year in 2003 and MVP in 2005 who sports a 4.54 grade-point average; Mackenzie Mack of Cimarron-Memorial, a basketball player and golfer for the Spartans who will be attending Indiana State University in the fall; Melissa Schellberg of Clark, a softball star who also plays in the band, is the school's valedictorian and hopes to attend Harvard University this fall; and Stephanie Senef of Coronado, a star runner on the Cougars' cross country team who will be heading to the University of Arizona.

Staying in Las Vegas where she will attend UNLV is Sarah Johnson of Del Sol, who participated in basketball, softball, cross country and track and field for the Dragons. Johnson also is a valedictorian candidate at the second-year school, holding a 4.7 grade-point average.

Also honored were Katie Williams of Desert Pines, one of the top basketball players in the city who was named MVP in the Sunrise Region's Northeast Division; Juliana Dean of Durango, a tennis player and captain of the soccer team who sports a 4.3 grade-point average and will attend Northern Arizona University this fall; and Caitlin Brown of Eldorado, who participated in track and field, volleyball and swimming and will take her 4.2 grade-point average to Utah State University this fall.

A musician as well as an athlete, Katie Franzeo of Foothill starred on the soccer field for the Falcons and will be attending Emerson College in Boston later this year. Jill Kirk of Green Valley High School, a volleyball standout for the Gators, will attend Brigham Young University and is a member of the Green Valley High School Madrigals. Megan Webb of Las Vegas High School, a star volleyball and softball player who signed to attend UNLV, and Elizabeth Arbogast of Laughlin High School, who played for the Cougars' volleyball and track and field teams, also were honored.

More among the honorees were Justine Guererro of Liberty High School, a soccer, volleyball and basketball player who carries a 3.9 grade-point average; Chelsea Hopkins of Mojave, a basketball star for the Rattlers who dreams of playing in the WNBA; Kendra Adams of Moapa Valley High School, a volleyball, softball and track and field athlete who carries a 4.7 grade-point average; Melissa Wilson of Palo Verde, a softball, soccer and tennis standout who will be attending Western Oregon University on a softball scholarship; Brittany Collins of Rancho, who excelled at basketball, track and field and tennis and will attend Arizona State University in the fall; Vanessa Gordon of Shadow Ridge, a volleyball and basketball player who also will be attending ASU on a scholarship after being named the school's valedictorian; Julie Fogarty of Sierra Vista, a volleyball, soccer and track and field athlete who will attend The Johns Hopkins University in the fall; and Amy Aceret of Silverado, a golfer and softball player for the Skyhawks who is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and was a nominee for the Nevada Wendy's Heisman.

Playing in five sports -- volleyball, basketball, cross country, swimming and softball -- was honoree Sadie Wood of Spring Valley, who will attend UNLV this fall and plans to pursue a degree in law enforcement. Lourdes Lomeil of Valley High School participated in basketball and track and field for the school, where she carried a 4.0 grade-point average and set a school record in the pole vault.

Also honored were Analiese Jensen of Virgin Valley High School, a member of the Bulldogs' track and field and cross country teams who will be attending the University of Nevada, Reno, in the fall; Danielle Bussell of Vo-Tech, a star on the Roadrunners' cross country and swimming teams who also was voted Most Improved on the school's soccer team; and Neosha Smith of Western, a standout on the Warriors' track and field team and the only junior to be recognized at the event.

After the 33 athletes were honored, keynote speaker Carol Harter, UNLV's outgoing president, was introduced by Radetich, who noted that, "Dr. Harter got all three of her degrees after having two children."

In her presentation, Harter talked about the importance of a federal program that has helped increase the number of women in the U.S. participating in sports. The legislation was enacted in 1972.

"Title IX opened the doors to women in every academic program as well as athletic program," Harter said. "And high school sports participation by women has increased 800 percent since 1972."

Harter also praised those close to the recipients for their part in their success and gave the honorees major credit for all the hours of effort they put forth.

"We all know that it's impossible to be successful without the great support of your family and immediate friends," Harter said. "Your participation in athletics has required a level of dedication and commitment and teamwork and a sense of team and just plain hard work. And these are the most important attributes in any field and any endeavor."