Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
High-schoolers share their hopes, dreams, concerns
The Las Vegas Sun Youth Forum, created by the Sun’s founder and long-time publisher Hank Greenspun, paired groups of students with moderators to tackle issues ranging from student employment opportunities in the valley to gun control through the lens of the Oct. 1 mass shooting on the Strip.
During the event, these 10 students were randomly surveyed about everything from favorite books to their greatest concerns for Nevada and the world. Here are their responses:
Cecilia Gonzalez
Age, Technical 16, Southwest Academy Career and
Class: 2019 Clubs/activities: National Honor Society, student council Favorite book: “Leaders Eat Last” What are you watching on Netflix:
“Stranger Things” Favorite music artist(s): The 1975, Lany, Oh Wonder Current Nevada issue that most concerns you: Gun control, considering just having the worse mass shooting in U.S. history, that’s a serious issue we need to talk about. Current world issue that most concerns you: Equality being such a controversy, regardless of race, sexuality, gender or religion, everyone should have the same rights. How long have you lived in Las Vegas? My whole life. What is your definition of #VegasStrong? Our community coming together and showing how much we can accomplish in a time of need. How do you want to be remembered at your high school reunion? I want to be someone everyone could rely on. Where do you plan to attend higher education, and what is your dream career? My dream career is something creative with art, writing or dancing.
Jack Kannon
Age, 17, Cimarron-Memorial Class: 2018 Clubs/activities: Baseball Favorite book: “Catcher in the
Rye” What are you watching on Netflix: “How I Met Your Mother” Favorite music artist(s): Drake Current Nevada issue that most concerns you: Education. Current world issue that most concerns you: The current state America is in and
our vulnerability to the rest of the world. How long have you lived in Las Vegas? 17 years. What is your definition of
#VegasStrong? To stick together and help each other during a time of crisis no matter your views or opinions or who you are. How do you want to be remembered at your high school reunion? As a kid who worked hard in school and went on to a great college and lived a successful life. Where do you plan to attend higher education, and what is your dream career? I plan to go to the University of North Carolina and become an entrepreneur.
Kailey Ann Folkerts
Age, 17, Legacy Class: 2018 Clubs/activities: Yearbook editor Favorite book: “The Great Gatsby” What are you watching on Netflix:
“Gilmore Girls” Favorite music artist(s): Toby Mac Current Nevada issue that most concerns you: The growth of teenagers in education is lacking, but CCSD is trying to fix that. Current concerns world you: The issue most that concerning most world issue we face is the rapid demoralization of the youth. How long have you lived in Las Vegas? 17 years. What is your definition of #VegasStrong? A community of people dedicated to healing and regrowth. How do you want to be remembered at your high school reunion? I want to be remembered as a strong journalist who inspired my classmates along the way. Where do you plan to attend higher education, and what is
your dream career? I plan to attend Harding University and studying marketing to become a PR rep for Heifer International.
Karissa Butler
Age, 16, Southwest Career and Technical Academy
2019 Class: Clubs/activities: National Honor Society, student council, fashion program Favorite book: “Stolen” What are you watching on Netflix: “Mindhunter,” “Black Mirror” Favorite music artist(s):
Daniel Ceasar, Banks, The Weeknd Current Nevada issue that most concerns you: CCSD schools are struggling with money. Education is the future of America; we need to make sure we pay major attention to our
schools. Current world issue that most
concerns you: Equality with women across the world has forever been an issue, and women are just as strong as men and need to be seen as more. How long have you lived in Las Vegas? My whole life. What is your definition of #VegasStrong? Coming together as a community and getting past a tragedy. How do you want to be remembered at your high school reunion? I want to be remembered as the person who was kind and caring. Where do you plan to attend higher education, and what is your dream career? My dream career would be a lawyer — I love fighting for a cause.
Cathlyn Navarro
Age, 18, Northwest Career and Technical Academy Class: 2018 Clubs/activities: Soccer Favorite book: “Jurassic Park” What are you watching on Netflix: “The Office”
Favorite music artist(s): Sleeping With Sirens Current Nevada issue that most concerns you: Security in the state. Current world issue that most concerns you: Another war between Korea and the U.S. How long have you lived in Las Vegas? 9 years. What is your definition of #VegasStrong? That we are brave and one in the city. How do you want to be remembered at your high school reunion? Full of laughs and memories. Where do you plan to attend higher education, and what is your dream career? To become an education administrator.
Isaiah Hedberg
Age, 17, Liberty 2018 Class: Clubs/activities: National Honor
Society Favorite book: “The Great Gatsby” What Netflix: Favorite are N/A music you watching artist(s): on The Beatles, Daniel Caesar Current Nevada issue that most concerns you: Marijuana taxes being allocated to private school vouchers instead of the suffering public school system. Current world issue that most
concerns you: Tension between the U.S. and North Korea, and the strains that it may cause on our relationship with China. How long have you lived in Las Vegas? 4 years. What is your definition of #VegasStrong? The community coming together to help those in need. How do you want to be remembered at your high school reunion? As someone who cared for others and always worked hard. Where do you plan to attend higher education, and what is your dream career? UNR, and a corporate lawyer in New York.
Christopher Santoyu
Age, 17, Western Class: 2018 Clubs/activities: Latino club Favorite book: “1984” What are you watching on Netflix: “House of Cards” Favorite music artist(s): The Weeknd Current Nevada issue that most concerns you: Health care. Current world issue that most concerns you: Climate change. How long have you lived in
Las Vegas? 12 years. What is your definition of #VegasStrong? Unity when faced with tragedy. How do you want to be remembered at your high school reunion? As a student who created change within the community. Where do you plan to attend higher education, and what is your dream career? UNLV, and my dream career is to become a senator.
Ray Gallo
Age, 16, Southwest Career and Technical Academy Class: 2019 Clubs/activities: Broadcast journalist Favorite book: “The Power of Habit” What are you watching on Netflix: “Stranger Things” Favorite music artist(s): Hip-hop Current Nevada issue that most concerns you: Phone laws, gun laws, marijuana. Current world issue that most concerns you: Gun laws. How long have you lived in Las Vegas? 16 years. What is your definition of #VegasStrong? No matter the tragedy, Las Vegas will overcome it. How do you want to be remembered at your high school reunion? N/A Where do you plan to attend higher education, and what is your dream career? I plan to attend UNLV to take up film.
Melissa Santana
Age, Class: Clubs/activities: Education 18, 2018 E.W. Rising Clark French club, Favorite What Netflix: are “The book: you Flash” watching “Fahrenheit on 451” Favorite but country? music artist(s): Anything Current concerns Nevada you: School issue budgets that most and inclusiveness in the classroom. Current world issue that most concerns you: Our foreign relations concerning refugees. How long have you lived in
Las Vegas? 10 years. What is your definition of #VegasStrong? A community united not only by tragedy, but every day. How do you want to be remembered at your high school reunion? The girl that “went somewhere great” with her life. Where do you plan to attend higher education, and what is your dream career? UNLV, and I am pursuing a career in higher education.
Kieory Holliday
Age, 16, Cheyenne High School Class: 2019 Clubs/activities: Basketball and
track Favorite book: “The Hobbit” What are you watching on Netflix:
“Stranger Things” Favorite music artist(s): John
Legend Current Nevada issue that most concerns you:
Where the money from marijuana dispensaries is going. Current world issue that most concerns you: Tension between the U.S. and North Korea. How long have you lived in Las
Vegas? All my life. What is your definition of #VegasStrong? Supporting and/ or dedicating my time to helping out victims and/or their families. How do you want to be remembered at your high school reunion? For the academic and athletic achievements and excellence I plan to reach. Where do you plan to attend higher education, and what is
your dream career? I want to attend UCLA on an athletic or academic scholarship and become a professional athlete.