Sorority recognizes economic progress in black community
The Theta Theta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. sponsored its annual Emerald Ball, a fundraiser for academic scholarships, at the Monte Carlo on March 17.
The event recognized five people for helping to build economic progress in the black community.
The honorees are: Elizabeth Moten-Simon, owner of Le Gardia's Flowers and Gift Baskets, who was awarded the Nontraditional Entrepreneur award; Eva Martin, a businesswoman with the McDonald's Corp. and owner of three McDonald's restaurants in the Las Vegas Valley, the Economic Keys to Success award; the Rev. Kelcey A. West, founder of the 32nd Street Theater and the Nehemiah Ministries Christian Church, Economic Growth of the Black Family award; Denise Ogletree-McGuinn, co-founder of Helping Kids, a clinic that provides care for uninsured and underinsured children, Health Resource Management and Economics award; and Detrick Sanford, a University of Nevada, Las Vegas student majoring in hotel administration, Economic Educational Advancement through Technology honoree.
More than 600 guests attended the ball, which was emceed by Ricki Barlow.
The Las Vegas chapter, started in 1950, provides scholarships to underprivileged Southern Nevada high school seniors with high academic achievement.
In other news:
* Tracy Rodgers of Las Vegas was crowned Mrs. Nevada United States 2007 in March. First runner-up was Jill Barnhardt, and second runner-up was Yevgeniya Gomez, both of Las Vegas.
The contestants were judged on swimwear, evening gown and preliminary interviews.
Rodgers will represent Nevada at the national pageant July 8-12 at the Silverton.
Contestants interested in applying for the Mrs. Nevada United States 2008 pageant can call Lori Lawlor at (262) 925-7072 or e-mail her at loribehnke@yahoo.com.
* The Telecom Pioneers of America recently installed their new officers at the Italian American Supper Club.
The officers are: Jim Howell, president; Bob Knox, past president; Mimi Llamas, first vice president; Frank Coughlin, second vice president; Marshall Durst and Mickey Kristianson, members-at-large; Marian Coriell, secretary; and Carole Conductor, treasurer.
The officers were installed by Sheryl Stopper, a chapter member from Reno.
* The Nevada Ballet Theatre has named Jeanne Frederick the organization's new director of development. Frederick, who was the organization's special events manager, will oversee all areas of fundraising for the ballet company, including the annual Black & White Ball.
If you know of a worthy candidate for this column, mail information to Newsmakers, Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070, or send faxes to 383-4676.
