Forum Description: On Monday, September 16, 2024, the Las Vegas Sun hosted its annual Youth Forum at Cimarron-Memorial High School in partnership with the Clark County School District. Students from across the valley shared their perspectives on current issues in a roundtable discussion moderated by prominent community leaders.
Between discussion sessions, students enjoyed Capriotti’s sandwiches, a donut wall from The Donut Hole by Carl’s Donuts, and custom cookies by Freed’s Bakery. Commemorative Sun Youth Forum T-shirts, provided by Nu World Graphics, were available to students while supplies lasted. Adding to the lunchtime fun, Raider Rusher made a guest appearance, and students enjoyed a photo booth and music by DJ Lio from SPTLGHT Entertainment. Students also had the opportunity to connect with representatives from UNLV, UNR, Nevada State University, Roseman University, the Nevada State Treasurer’s Office, and Clark County Voter Registration.
Before the second discussion session, Las Vegas Sun CEO, Publisher & Editor Brian Greenspun welcomed attendees and led a special scholarship presentation. At the conclusion of the forum, student participants elected one room representative from each discussion group. Room representatives go on to participate in post event day media activities recapping their day at the Youth Forum and are invited to a celebratory luncheon.
CLASSROOM MODERATORS & ASSIGNED TOPICS
AMERICA:
Amber Renee Dixon
Host, Nevada Week
Vegas PBS
Dr. Charles Buckner II
Associate Director of Recruitment
Nevada State University
Farrell Bailey
Admissions & Recruitment
Nevada State University
Gian Brosco
President & CEO
Nevada Community Foundation
Qiava Martinez
SVP, Chief Sales Officer
Las Vegas Raiders
Shannon Petersen
Executive VP, Corporate Banking
Nevada State Bank
AROUND THE WORLD:
Dr. Robert Ulmer
Dean
UNLV Greenspun College of Urban Affairs
Dr. Sebern Coleman
Director of Education Preparation
UNLV College of Education
Shelley Berkley
Mayor of Las Vegas
HOME IN NEVADA:
Alexander Olive
Brand Marketing Manager AREA 15
Dr. Brittnie Watkins
Board Member
Nevada Gaming Control Board
Dr. Keith Whitfield
President UNLV
Mike Davis
TV Personality
Silver State Sports & Entertainment Network/FOX 5 Vegas
Kip Kelly
Founding Creative Director & CXO
The Beverly Theater
LAW AND CRIME:
Dr. Tya Mathis-Coleman
Deputy Treasurer
Nevada State Treasurer’s Office
Alex De Castroverde
Attorney-at-Law
De Castroverde Law Group
Chief Jacqueline Gravatt
Chief of Police
North Las Vegas Police Department
Hon. Patricia Lee
Justice
Nevada Supreme Court
SCHOOL DAYS:
Dr. Linda Young President
Village Foundation, LJP (Love, Joy & Peace)
Michael Flores
Vice President, Government & Community Engagement
UNR
Nick Robone
Assistant Coach
UNLV Rebels Hockey
Sandy Ginger
Executive Director
Nevada Association of Student Councils
Sean Parker
Executive Director, Emeritus Teach for America
TEEN TOPICS:
Christine Maddela Co-Owner Storyville RD
Laura McBride
Author
Lindy Schumacher
CEO Fulfillment Fund, Las Vegas
Torry Russell Founder Broadway in the HOOD
THIS & THAT: (previously Potpourri topic)
Eddie Escobedo Jr. Co-Founder
El Mundo Spanish Newspaper
Latoya Holman
Chief Development Officer
The Public Education Foundation
Miles Dickson
CEO & President
Nevada Grant Lab
Tim Hughes
Executive Director
Teach for America Nevada - Las Vegas
FLOATING MODERATORS:
Ray Brewer
Managing Editor
Las Vegas Sun
Justin Hager
Editorial Page Editor Las Vegas Sun
Brian Greenspun CEO & Publisher
Las Vegas Sun (Event Host)
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
UNLV-TV
Michael Crome
SVP, Chief Financial Officer Las Vegas Raiders and Allegiant Stadium
KUNV Radio
Alexander Olive Brand Marketing Manager AREA15
Erica Mosca State Assemblywoman District 14
Dr. Charles Bucker II
Associate Director of Recruitment
Nevada State University
Justin Hager
Editorial Page Editor Las Vegas Sun
Table Tents
Food Sign
General Sign
Topic Sign
Gifted to moderators, advisors and student council members
Sun Youth Forum T-shirt
Provided by NuWorld Graphics
Sun Youth Forum Swag
TOUCH
Monitor Artwork
Photobooth Welcome Screen and Photo Strip
TO START
Event Photo Page Featured in
Event Photo Gallery
Photo
Online Article Featured on LasVegasSun.com
YouTube Video Recap
Posted on the Las Vegas Sun YouTube
Social Media
SUN YOUTH FORUM OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
At the end of the Sun Youth Forum, each discussion group selects a room representative to present their views to the wider community. These student representatives write a guest column for the Las Vegas Sun, or participate in panel conversations with other local media outlets. In 2024, Sun Youth Forum students appeared on: KNPR, Vegas PBS, UNLV-TV and KUNV-FM radio.
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
UNLV-TV
Jennifer Ream - Executive Producer, UNLV-TV
Ryan Thorp - Editing and Production Specialist, UNLV-TV
Vegas PBS
Amber Renee Dixon - Host, Nevada Week Vegas PBS
Kristen Kidman - Executive Producer, Nevada Week Vegas PBS
Mark Nutini - Director, Nevada Week Vegas PBS
KNPR:
Heidi Kyser - Managing Editor, KNPR
Christopher Alvarez - Producer and Reporter, KNPR
KUNV-FM:
Dr. Ashton Ridley - General Manager, KUNV-FM | Rebel Media Group
Wesley Knight - Production Manager, KUNV-FM
Guest Column: Angelina Vargas Featured on LasVegasSun.com
Guest Column: Ben Hickman Featured on LasVegasSun.com
Vegas PBS - Nevada Week
Moderated by Amber Renee Dixon, Vegas PBS Featured on Vegas PBS
UNLV TV
Moderated by Michael Crome, Las Vegas Raiders Featured on YouTube
– Nevada Public Radio
Moderated by Christopher Alvarez, KNPR Featured on KNPR.org
Moderated by Alexander Olive
AREA15
Recording Date: 10/2/2024
Moderated by Erica Mosca
State Assemblywoman, District 14
Recording Date: 11/14/2024
Moderated by Erica Mosca
State Assemblywoman, District 14
Recording Date: 11/14/2024
Moderated by Dr. Charles Bucker
Nevada State University
Recording Date: 11/19/2024
Moderated by Justin Hager
Las Vegas Sun
Recording Date: 11/19/2024
KNPR
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15
SUN YOUTH FORUM LUNCHEON
Moderators and student representatives from the 66th annual Las Vegas Sun Youth Forum gathered at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse for a celebratory luncheon honoring their participation in the forum. The event began with moderators sharing reflections from their classroom experiences. Following lunch, each student received recognition from Las Vegas Sun CEO, Publisher & Editor Brian Greenspun and was presented with certificates of recognition from U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and U.S. Representative Dina Titus. At the conclusion of the luncheon, one student representative was awarded a scholarship from the Las Vegas Sun.
Presented by Las Vegas Sun
Certificates of Recognition
Provided by U.S. Senator Jackie Rosen and U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto
