Schwartz receives Pursuit of Excellence Award at gala

Milton I. Schwartz was honored at a gala May 6 by the school that bears his name.

The philanthropist received the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Pursuit of Excellence Award at a party at The Venetian.

Schwartz is the visionary behind the Hebrew Academy, both as a financial donor and through service on the school's board of trustees. The school was established in 1988 and includes preschool through eighth grade.

Receiving the 500 guests were the gala's chairs Miriam and Sheldon Adelson and Toni and Victor Chaltiel.

Seen participating in the reception's silent auction while socializing were Sheryl and Rob Goldstein, Beverly and Jim Rogers, Edythe and Gilbert Yarchever, Zoe Brown, Karen and Eli Schwartz, Lynita Eric Nelson, Sandy and Paul Schiffman, Phyllis Schwartz, Mindy Eras, Amanda and Chris Friedland, Eileen Zarin, Amanda and Chris Stromberg, Nelcy and Michael Tell, Barbara Kirsh, Maria and Emilio Fernandez, Joanne and Max Friedland, Michele Tell and James Woodrow.

Master of ceremonies Ron Kirsh introduced a video tribute to Schwartz that was produced by Stephen Wessells.

Auctioneer Eric Nelson conducted a live auction for nine packages featuring a dinner for four prepared by Mario Batali at his new restaurant, B&B, which sold for $10,000.

Other packages receiving top bids were a painting by Romero Britto that sold for $26,000; a VIP weekend at The Venetian that sold for $21,000; a pair of diamond earrings that sold for $10,000; and a Chopard diamond and gold watch that sold for $9,500.

Plans for Adelson High School, adjacent to the Hebrew Academy, were announced at last year's gala. This year's update is that the school will accept its first class next fall.

Special Journey: Winnie and Robert Schulman received the 2007 Hope Award from the Girls and Boys Town of Nevada during its third annual "Journey of Hope" event May 10 at the Las Vegas Hilton.

The party's theme was tropical casual, and the 500 guests were greeted by Hawaiian dancers giving out real orchid leis.

The silent auction offered jewelry, sports memorabilia, fashion bags, dining and entertainment packages, gift certificates and other items.

Among members of the organization's board of directors attending were Joe Brown, Dave Courvoisier, Larry Finuf, James Houssels, Kevin Buckley and board Chairman Norm Jenkins and his wife, Sharon.

The Rev. Steven Boes, Girls and Boys Town National chief executive officer, delivered the invocation.

Master of ceremonies Dave Courvoisier introduced Tom Waite, Girls and Boys Town of Nevada CEO, and Elizabeth Muto, development director who made the award presentation to the Schulmans.

Winnie Schulman is an active board member and tireless volunteer for the organization. Real estate developer Robert Schulman is spearheading the development of Girls & Boys Town's 22 acres of land in the northwest to build additional homes, a school, administrative offices and recreation facilities.

Christian Kolberg conducted a live auction raising $47,450 for eight packages.

Guests included Annee Nounna, Siegfried Fischbacher, Susie Perrine, Nancy and Kel Houssels, Tory and Michael Cooper, Joan and Jim Hammer, Hannah An, Karen and Bill Goff, Jeremy Aguero, Parvin and Ted Jacobs, Wendy Plaster, Shelia Beaton, and Mary Goldwater and her fiance Sam Jankovich.

Nevada School of the Arts presented its 2007 Spring Soiree Friday at the Northern Trust Bank in Summerlin.

A reception catered by Master Chef Gustav Mauler took place prior to the entertainment offered by the school's talented young artists, including violinists Hannah Galanty, Yuhi Kim, Jeremy Rhizor, Alex Gonzalez and Tena Shizuma; cellists David Marsh and Christopher Kirischioglu; violist Tobias Roth; and pianist Brandon Kiss. Accompanists were Polya Bankov and Jae Ahn.

Special recognition was given to Bernice Fischer for her support of the arts.

Guests included Hal Weller, Libby Bjerke, Phyllis and Hugh Roberts, Shirley Blair, Sally McKinney, Laurel Andrew, Gay Goldstein, Leonard Gross, Phil Kaslow, Maxine and Ernie Clark, Jan Craddock, Sandra and Jim Frank, Barbara and Bruce Woollen, Jeanette and Malcolm Clark, Bill Martin, Sondra Locke, Judy and Richard Veitz, Mary McCarthy and Cam Ferenbach.

School staff attending were Doug Van Gilder, Anne Gumroyan and Shakeh Ghoukasian.