Thursday February 8, 2018 Dear Friends, Supporters and Students, I am excited to send you our first newsletter of the New Year. The new year has already provided the foundation with another great event. Our Mentorship Matters VIP Appreciation dinner was held on Tuesday, January 9th at Bally’s Jubilee Ballroom. The evening was a wonderful way for us to show our appreciation to the donors, sponsors, supporters and students who made M.E.N.U.S. 2017 a huge success and paid homage to the well deserving Chef Hubert Keller. Highlights included a humorous yet inspiring welcome from comedian George Lopez: "Nothing is impossible in life. Sometimes when you come from places where you don't have a lot, you think that everybody is against you. Sometimes you think you can’t make it. And you think that because of what you see in family members and friends it becomes your lot in life. And it's not true. Your life is special and it's individual and it's not to be compared to everyone else's life." The evening also involved an award presentation to 2017’s top sponsors including, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, BreakThru Beverage, E&J Gallo, FIJI Water, Johnson Brothers of Nevada, and Nevada Beverage and special appreciation awards to: Partner of the Year- Sysco; Alumni of the Year- Nachely Martinez; Student of the Year- Ben Sison; Top Gun- Sean DiCicco; Rookie of the Year- Kevin Ball; and Mentor of the Year- Michael Kennedy. Speeches were given by ECF graduate Nachely Martinez, and our honoree for the evening, Chef ‘Hubert Keller. Chef Keller is a true representative of what we hope for our students: to be filled with drive, determination, compassion and inspiration. Scholarship season is now upon us and we encourage everyone to help spread the word to deserving local high school students. Our application and all corresponding information may be found here with a deadline of Tuesday, March 13th. We are looking for the next group of talented, motivated students to take the first step in becoming a future leader of the Las Vegas hospitality industry. As always, the success of our students and graduates would not be possible without your continued support. Through donations, participation in M.E.N.U.S. and other fundraising events we are able to change the lives of young people in our community and positively impact one of the city’s most prominent industries. More information, news and updates may be found at www.ecflv.org or by following on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Best, Melissa Arias MENTORSHIP MATTERS 2018Nachely Martinez- Graduate Speaker SpotlightNachely is a graduate of both Durango HS and UNLV’s School of Hospitality. As front desk manager at Venetian/Palazzo she has recruited 8 ECF students to begin their career in the Hospitality Industry. Nachely started as a font desk agent, went to a number of different positions before ending where she is most recently- Administrative Manager – Hotel & Special Projects. She is currently working on her MBA at UNLV, is a proud mom to her daughter, Madison. Photos from Mentorship MattersA complete collection of Mentorship Matters photos may be found here! JANUARY IS NATIONAL MENTORSHIP MONTHMentorship Advice from ECF Mentor and Vice President, Travis LunnClick here to read the wise words of ECF's mentor, Travis R. Lunn, in honor of National Mentorship Month. SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLEClick here for more information. FORE! SPEND THE DAY ON THE GREEN AND GOLF WITH ECFGET INVOLVEDWine of the MonthCocktail of the MonthClick here to watch a video about our Cocktail of the Month! Thank you to Mitch Preston and Rodney Strong for the 3,200 bottles of wine sold during South Point Hotel Casino & Spa’s November/December Wine Promotion! BOARD UPDATESCongratulations Mike Olsen! COO of Emeril's Homebase. Congratulations Martha Morales, UNLV’s School of Hospitality 50 Most intriguing Alumni. STUDENT UPDATESCongratulations Andrea Rocca-Capano! UNLV Class of 2017- December Graduation For more information, please contact Melissa Arias at 702.932.5098, melissa@ecflv.org or visit the ECF website at www.ecflv.org. |