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.

Our team had the incredible honor of accepting the Community Hero Award from Nevada Child Seekers, a nonprofit whose mission strengthen and protect children and families throughout Nevada. This recognition means a great deal to us, but even more meaningful is the opportunity to support the life-changing work this organization leads every day.

Nevada Child Seekers is dedicated to advocating for missing, exploited, and at-risk children. Their team works tirelessly to provide safety resources, prevention education, family support, and community outreach. Being acknowledged by an organization that pours so much heart and commitment into our state is both humbling and inspiring.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the entire Nevada Child Seekers team—not only for this award, but for welcoming us into your mission. Through donations, volunteer efforts, and ongoing participation in your community events, we are proud to stand alongside you in service of Nevada’s children.

At Adam Kutner Cares, we believe that strong communities are built through compassion, partnership, and consistent action. Today’s recognition reinforces our commitment to give back in ways that truly make a difference.

Thank you, Nevada Child Seekers, for the meaningful work you do and for letting us be part of it. We look forward to continuing this important work together.

Surprises are always special, but surprising an extraordinary educator makes the moment unforgettable. This week, our team joined our partners at CCSD Engage to visit Vegas Verdes Elementary School, where we proudly inducted Mrs. Audra Richardson into the Adam Kutner Cares Community Champion Award family.

Mrs. Richardson is a passionate and innovative STEM teacher who transforms her classroom into a hub of creativity, exploration, and possibility. Whether she is guiding students through imaginative Cardboard Arcade projects or leading the school’s LEGO League after-school program, her teaching approach sparks curiosity and builds confidence in young learners.

Her dedication helps students dream big and see themselves as future engineers, designers, problem-solvers, and changemakers. Through hands-on learning and meaningful challenges, she shows her students that innovation begins with believing in themselves.

As part of her recognition, Mrs. Richardson received a commemorative award plaque and tickets to today’s Vegas Golden Knights game, where she’ll also enjoy an unforgettable ride on the Adam Kutner Zamboni.

Please join us in celebrating this remarkable educator and the impact she makes every day. Her creativity and commitment are shaping the next generation of leaders, one inspired student at a time.

Honoring service, leadership, and inspiration is at the heart of the Adam Kutner Cares mission. This week, we had the privilege of doing just that.

Alongside our partners at CCSD Engage, our team had the honor of surprising Captain Jason Small, NJROTC instructor at Clark High School, with the Adam Kutner Cares Community Champion Award.

Captain Small’s legacy of service spans more than 30 years in the United States Navy. His career reflects bravery, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to others. Today, he continues that legacy in the classroom, guiding the next generation of leaders through Clark High School’s NJROTC program.

Through his mentorship, students learn discipline, teamwork, confidence, and the value of education. Captain Small opens doors to opportunities many students never imagined, including college scholarships, leadership pathways, and community service experiences that shape their futures.

To honor his impact, Captain Small received a commemorative plaque, two tickets to the Vegas Golden Knights game, and a special moment many fans can only dream of: an opportunity to ride the Adam Kutner Zamboni.

Captain Small, thank you for your decades of service to our country and for the powerful influence you continue to have on the students of Southern Nevada. Your dedication inspires us, and we are proud to celebrate you as a true Community Champion.

The Golden Knights welcomed in the NHL’s last remaining undefeated team, the Carolina Hurricanes. Vegas took the first lead of the game 8:42 into the game after a loose puck slipped by the Hurricanes’ goaltender. Jack Eichel was credited with his sixth goal of 2025-26. A couple of shifts later, Pavel Dorofeyev doubled VGK’s advantage with a nifty Peter Forsberg-inspired goal.

Carolina cut Vegas’ lead in half early on in the second period. The Golden Knights held on their tight lead and took a 2-1 advantage into the second intermission.

The Hurricanes had plenty of chances to even the score but couldn’t get one past Vegas goalie Akira Schmid. Ivan Barbashev regained the Golden Knights two goal advantage midway through the final frame. William Karlsson added the empty netter to seal the deal.

The Golden Knights’ record improves to 5-0-2 defeating to formerly undefeated Hurricanes 4-1 at T-Mobile Arena. Next up, Vegas will travel east for a challenging three-game road trip beginning in Sunrise, Florida. Puck drop against the Panthers is scheduled for Saturday at 3 PM.