Margarita Edwards, Executive Director of Nevada Child Seekers, was recently surprised with the Adam Kutner Cares Community Champion Award in recognition of 12 years of dedicated service to the children and families of Nevada.

Through her leadership, Margarita has been a powerful advocate in the fight to protect vulnerable youth in an increasingly complex world. From organizing community-wide searches to distributing Child ID kits and promoting open communication between families and law enforcement, her work has provided critical support in some of the most urgent and emotional situations.

As a longstanding partner, Nevada Child Seekers continues to be a vital resource for the community, helping bring missing children home and raising awareness around safety and prevention.

To honor her incredible impact, Margarita received a commemorative plaque along with tickets to a Vegas Golden Knights game and the unforgettable opportunity to ride the Adam S. Kutner Zamboni during intermission.

Congratulations, Margarita. Your dedication, leadership, and compassion continue to make Nevada a safer place for families.

Emerie Bauer, Learning Strategist at Mendoza Elementary School, was recently surprised as the newest recipient of the Adam Kutner Cares Community Champion Award alongside our partners at CCSD Engage.

Emerie was nominated by fellow teacher Kelley Watkins, who shared that she is one of the kindest, most gracious, and selfless people she knows. As a reading interventionist, Emerie helps students learn to read one sound, one word, and one breakthrough at a time. What makes her impact even more remarkable is that she continues this work while facing a recent breast cancer diagnosis.

Her strength, compassion, and unwavering commitment to her students make a lasting difference in the lives of those she serves and inspire everyone around her.

To celebrate her incredible dedication, Emerie received a commemorative plaque along with tickets to a Vegas Golden Knights game and the unforgettable opportunity to ride the Adam S. Kutner Zamboni during intermission.

Congratulations, Emerie. Your resilience and heart are an inspiration to our entire community.

Ms. Scholer of Will Beckley Elementary School was recently surprised with the Adam Kutner Cares Community Champion Award in recognition of her outstanding impact on students and her school community. In partnership with CCSD Engage, we had the honor of celebrating her dedication while also gifting students a collection of Dr. Seuss classics to inspire a love of reading.

Ms. Scholer goes far beyond the traditional role of a school librarian. She ensures equitable access for all students, collaborates intentionally with teachers across grade levels, and integrates literacy, research, and inquiry-based learning into daily instruction. Under her leadership, the library has become an inclusive and welcoming space where curiosity thrives and students grow in confidence as learners.

Her proactive and restorative approach also strengthens relationships between school and home, helping foster a culture built on collaboration, respect, and shared accountability.

To celebrate her incredible work, Ms. Scholer received a commemorative plaque along with tickets to a Vegas Golden Knights game and the unforgettable experience of riding the Adam S. Kutner Zamboni during intermission.

Congratulations, Ms. Scholer. Your passion and commitment are making a lasting difference in the lives of your students and the entire school community.

Phil Merges was recently surprised with the Adam Kutner Cares Community Champion Award in recognition of his dedicated service in the fight against human trafficking. Phil, a retired Metro officer who now leads law enforcement partnerships for a nationwide nonprofit, was nominated by retired detective Rick Tennant, former head of Missing Persons, for his tireless commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.

Phil was honored during a briefing at a satellite command center at Alexis Park Resort for a Big Game Super Search operation focused on identifying and locating victims of human trafficking. With 25 nonprofit team members and 10 local law enforcement officers present, the surprise announcement brought heartfelt recognition from peers and partners alike.

An avid hockey player, Phil recently suffered an ACL injury and was on crutches during the celebration. To honor his service and passion, Phil received tickets to a Vegas Golden Knights game along with the unforgettable opportunity to ride the Adam S. Kutner logo wrapped Zamboni.

Thank you, Phil, for your leadership, courage, and unwavering dedication to our community. Your work makes a meaningful difference, and we are proud to celebrate you as an Adam Kutner Cares Community Champion.

More than 25 years of dedication can shape countless lives, and for this year’s Adam Kutner Cares Community Champion Award recipient, that impact begins at the very first step of a child’s educational journey.

Laraine LiVolsi, a first-grade teacher in the Clark County School District, has devoted her career to mentoring, guiding, and inspiring young minds. For more than two decades, she has shown up each day with compassion, patience, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every child who enters her classroom.

Laraine’s journey makes her impact even more meaningful. Growing up in an impoverished community, she chose to give back by serving students in underprivileged schools across Las Vegas, Nevada, and New York. Through determination, perseverance, and empathy, she has consistently demonstrated that circumstances do not define potential.

At the heart of Laraine’s teaching is a powerful message she shares with her students every day: “If I can do it, then so can you.” This belief is not simply a motto, but a promise she lives out in her classroom. As a role model and advocate, she creates a nurturing environment where young learners feel supported, capable, and empowered from the very start of their educational journey.

To honor her extraordinary service and lifelong commitment to education, Laraine was celebrated as a special guest at a Vegas Golden Knights home game, where she received the distinguished honor of riding the Adam S. Kutner Injury Attorneys logo wrapped Zamboni in recognition of her dedication.

Thank you, Laraine LiVolsi, for uplifting our community, empowering the next generation, and exemplifying what it truly means to be a Community Champion. Your legacy will continue to inspire students, families, and educators for years to come.

By day, he is a dedicated educator. By every other measure, he is a true community champion. We are proud to recognize Josiah Davisson of Las Vegas High School as one of our newest Adam Kutner Cares Community Champion Award recipients.

Josiah’s impact reaches far beyond the walls of his classroom. Through DevCat Studios, he empowers students to create real-world apps, games, and professional portfolios, giving them hands-on experience and tangible skills they can carry into future careers. His work bridges the gap between learning and doing, showing students what is possible when creativity and technology come together.

Josiah is also the founder of BridgePoints, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting CCSD students with internships, mentors, and industry-driven projects. By opening doors to real opportunities, he helps students build networks, confidence, and pathways to success that extend well beyond graduation. His commitment to diversifying opportunity and preparing students for the future makes a lasting difference in the lives he touches.

In partnership with the CCSD Engagement Unit, we had the honor of surprising Josiah with this recognition. Surrounded by supporters, he was presented with a commemorative plaque celebrating his contributions, along with two tickets to a Vegas Golden Knights game.

The celebration continued that evening when Josiah took a victory lap on the Adam S. Kutner Zamboni, a moment that symbolized the momentum he creates every day for his students and community.

From the classroom to center ice, Josiah Davisson represents impact in motion. Thank you for your innovation, leadership, and unwavering dedication to empowering the next generation. We are honored to recognize you as an Adam Kutner Cares Community Champion.

Great educators do more than teach. They inspire, uplift, and create spaces where students feel seen, challenged, and empowered. This year, we are proud to recognize Dr. Brendan Holly as our first Adam Kutner Cares Community Champion Award recipient of the new year.

Nominated by his teaching assistant, Sarah Panariso, Dr. Holly was surprised with the award during his choir class with the help of the CCSD Engagement Unit. Surrounded by the very students whose lives he impacts every day, the celebration was a reflection of the powerful community he has built through music at Boulder City High School.

In just three years at Boulder City High School, Dr. Holly has transformed the school’s music program into one that truly hits all the right notes. Teaching choir, marching band, jazz, and guitar, he has created opportunities for students to grow both musically and personally. Under his leadership, students have earned Superior Ratings, achieved Honor Band and Honor Choir recognition, and are preparing to take the stage in the Disneyland Parade, a milestone that reflects their hard work and dedication.

Dr. Holly’s passion for music goes beyond performance. He fosters discipline, teamwork, confidence, and a deep sense of belonging for his students. His classroom is a place where creativity thrives and where students learn what is possible when effort and encouragement come together.

To celebrate this special moment, his class enjoyed custom Pinkbox Doughnuts, adding a sweet note to an already unforgettable day. The celebration continued later that evening when Dr. Holly was awarded two tickets to a Vegas Golden Knights game, where he took center ice on the Adam S. Kutner Zamboni, a moment worthy of a standing ovation.

Thank you, Dr. Holly, for creating harmony, building community, and showing what happens when passion leads the way. Your dedication to your students and your craft makes a lasting impact, and we are honored to recognize you as an Adam Kutner Cares Community Champion.

Every school has someone who quietly keeps everything running. The person students rely on, families trust, and staff turn to when they need support. At Boulder City High School, that person is Registrar Barb Agostini, and we are proud to honor her as our newest Adam Kutner Cares Community Champion Award recipient.

Barb is the rock of her school community. Day in and day out, she shows up with compassion, dedication, and a genuine desire to help others. Whether she is supporting students and families, assisting colleagues, or stepping up to lead humanitarian efforts on campus, Barb does it all without hesitation. Her impact reaches far beyond her job title, touching lives throughout the school and the broader Boulder City community.

Barb is also deeply committed to service outside the classroom. She generously gives her time to countless volunteer efforts and is always the first to jump in when kids or families are in need. Her selflessness and leadership embody what it truly means to be a Community Champion.

Together with the CCSD Engagement Unit, we had the honor of surprising Barb and celebrating her incredible contributions. Surrounded by her family, students, and colleagues, Barb was recognized with a commemorative plaque and heartfelt applause that reflected just how much she means to those around her.

The celebration did not stop there. As part of her recognition, Barb received two tickets to a Vegas Golden Knights game, where one of her longtime dreams came true. That evening, she took a ride on the iconic Adam S. Kutner Zamboni, creating a moment she will never forget.

Thank you, Barb, for being the heart of Boulder City High School and a shining example of service, leadership, and kindness. Your dedication continues to inspire students, families, and colleagues, and we are honored to recognize you as an Adam Kutner Cares Community Champion.

We are proud to recognize Emily Feak of Three Square Food Bank as the newest recipient of the Adam Kutner Cares Community Champion Award. Her leadership, compassion, and dedication to serving Southern Nevada make her an extraordinary force in the fight against hunger.

As Volunteer Manager at Three Square, Emily plays a vital role in ensuring that the organization can meet the growing demand for food assistance across our community. She leads a mission-driven volunteer team with vision and heart, reimagining engagement strategies, streamlining operations, and creating meaningful ways for supporters to get involved.

Under Emily’s guidance, volunteerism has become central to nearly every aspect of Three Square’s work — from warehouse operations and kitchen support to mobile food distributions, senior hunger initiatives, and community outreach. Last year alone, more than 66,000 volunteer hours were contributed, equivalent to 33 full-time employees. This impact is a testament to both the generosity of the community and the strength of Emily’s leadership.

Whether she is coordinating large-scale volunteer events or working one-on-one with individuals looking to make a difference, Emily leads with integrity, compassion, and a deep sense of purpose. She fosters a culture of appreciation, builds lasting relationships, and brings out the very best in everyone around her.

Emily, thank you for your unwavering commitment to ending hunger in Southern Nevada and for the tremendous impact you make every day. We are honored to celebrate you as a true Community Champion.