MAY/JUNE 2021
3 Chamber Board Members 10 Asian Heritage Month
14 CEO on Chamber Anniversary 24 Message from Board Member
Message from Administrator Marie R. Scrofani
Hello Chamber Members, Have you been using your membership with exclusive access to specialized tools? There are so many ways to promote your organization or your business via the new online Member Information Center. All you have to do is login in and start using these great new features! Here are some of those features to use for better exposure for your company and to other chamber members: Membership listing - update your listing to ensure everyone has access to complete, up-to-date information. (Important: Completing your profile is critical to gaining increased visibility and exposure!) Deals - offer coupons and special deals; fellow members may well be your best customers. Job postings - submit your own job openings. Advertise events - add your events to our online event calendar displayed with quick links; use these links to share in your social media, text to mobile devices, add to calendar, or email to others. Network with other members - check out other member listings, jobs, deals. If you are new to using the Member Information Center website and don’t know how to get around, call or email Marie Scrofani, Chamber Administrator for help or a quick tour of how to utilize this great resource! Are you a large company with representatives in various areas? You can choose a rep to manage these great resources to engage with chamber members and gain more visibility! We look forward to expanding your scope of visibility for your business and to other chamber members. (702) 733-3955, 9am to 3pm, M-F.
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CONTENTS Making History for Women
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR Student Scholarship Advertisers & Donors +ABC Publishing +Anita Laruy Certified Coaching +American Estate & Trust (AET) +ATHENA International Awards +Cosmopolitan +COX Communication +ELITE Photography +Hutchison & Steffen Attorneys +INFINITY Business Media +John Huck +Las Vegas SANDS Corporation +NATHAN Adelson Hospice +Nevada State Bank +Resorts World Las Vegas +SERVPRO (Henderson/Boulder City) +StorageWest +WGU-NEVADA +Wells Fargo Bank If you would like to donate to our students visit www.womenschamberofnevada.org
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3 6 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 17 20 20 22 23 25 26 WCCNV Web: www.womenschamberofnevada.org Digital Distribution 1.7 mil readers throughout the USA, ISSUU Members and Communitybusinesses throughout Nevada, All State of Nevada Offices, All Nevada Chambers of Commerce, All U.S. State Chambers of Commerce, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce in D.C., Federal Offices within Washington, D.C. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in our published works are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions of ABC Publishing DBA Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Nevada© or its Editors. All rights reserved. No part of any ABC published work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.
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JobConnect Web Form is Not Mandatory Job Search Requirement CARSON CITY, NV – With the return of the work search requirement, DETR has received a significant number of JobConnect form submissions and many emails requesting additional information. To clarify for claimants: claimants should fill out the web form requesting assistance on the JobConnect website only if they need help with their job search. This is not a mandatory requirement; claimants would only use this form to request one-on-one assistance with job training or work search. DETR is confident that most claimants can return to doing work search activities on their own. Claimants can then report on their work search when they file for weekly benefits. For any other questions or concerns about the work search or any additional assistance please visit the online FAQs here or contact DETR’s call centers: • Northern UI Claims Call Centers at (775) 684-0350; Southern UI Call Center: (702) 486-0350; Rural areas and Out-of-State: (888) 890-8211 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. • Nevada’s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program (PUA) Call Center at (800) 603-9681 or (775) 298-6007 or (702) 998-308 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Saturday between 8 a.m. and noon.
There are many ways to fulfill the job search requirements - such as job training in high demand areas, business networking, even updating your resume. • Logging into EmployNV.gov to search for jobs among a database of ~40,000 open positions. Anyone receiving unemployment benefits (regular UI or PUA) has an existing registration in EmployNV.gov, so there is no need to create a new account. • Build or update a resume or firm profile. • Submit a resume or apply to an open position. • Take advantage of training opportunities: o See short term-training options at: www.employnv. gov/vosnet/Default.aspx?enc=vLa15KtdCzQQMP6jrcRd IQ== o Programs providing financial aid can be viewed at: www.employnv.gov/vosnet/ContactUs.aspx?tab=4 • For training programs for high demand occupations such as medical field, you can check out Nevadaworks in Northern Nevada, and Workforce Connections in Southern Nevada at the links below. • www.nevadaworks.com/service-providers/ • www.nvworkforceconnections.org/?page_id=8914 • Bid on contracts or proposals. • Use online networking sites, like LinkedIn, or job boards to network with potential employers or potential clients. • Participate in a virtual job networking event. • PUA claimants could update profiles by logging into gig work platforms.
EMPLOYMENT SECURITY DIVISION Media Contact: Rosa Mendez | Public Information Officer | detrmedia@detr.nv.gov 6 | Chamber Bi-Monthly Business News
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Secretary Cegavske Announces Slight Increase in Active Registered Voters in April Carson City, NV; May 3, 2021) – Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske reports an increase of 8,288 active registered voters during the month of April 2021 as compared to March 2021. The total number of active registered voters in Nevada is 1,813,200, an increase of 0.46%. Democratic Party active registered voters statewide decreased by 1,183 (0.18%), while Republican Party active registered voters statewide decreased by 2,311 (0.41%). Nonpartisan active registered voters increased by 8,006 (1.79%), Independent American Party active registered voters increased by 158 (0.19%), and Libertarian Party of Nevada active registered voters increased by 44 (0.25%). Active registered voters from a compilation of “other” minor political parties
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increased by 3,574 (9.42%). • Of the 1,813,200 active registered voters in Nevada: • 648,758 are Democrats (35.78%); • 566,998 are Republicans (31.27%); • 455,741 are Nonpartisan (25.13%); • 82,520 are members of the Independent American Party (4.55%); • 17,670 are members of the Libertarian Party of Nevada (0.97%); and • 41,513 are members of other minor political parties (2.29%). The latest voter registration breakdown by county, party, age, and district can be found under the Elections tab at www. NVSOS.gov or by clicking here.
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C ORPORATE MEMBERS
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Women’s Chamber Presents Asian Pacific Islanders Heritage Luncheon with Speakers and Panelist on May 14, 2021 Opening Speaker Anita Laruy, Women’s Chamber Executive Board Member and Director of the Government Affairs Council Anita Laruy has obtained both a Bachelor’s Degree from the City College of New York and a Juris Doctor from the Interamerican University’s School of Law. She was certified as a Life Coach at the Coach Training Alliance. She has been employed in the private and public sectors as a Lawyer, Lobbyist and Administrator. For the last ten years she has successfully served clients through her coaching practice. What makes this coach special is her wealth of knowledge and the fact that she is fully bilingual. Anita speaks, reads and writes Spanish fluently. GIVING BACK-Coach Anita is a firm believer in giving back to one’s community. At present, Coach Anita is actively involved in the following organizations: Member, International Coach Federation; Vice President, Board of Governors, North Vista Hospital; Member, Executive Board, Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Nevada; Director, Government Affairs, Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Nevada. In the past, she has been involved in over 25 organizations in New York and Nevada. Moderator Jan-Ie Low, Chamber Diversity-Equity-Inclusion Council Director Jan-Ie Low held multiple strategic and senior-level positions in human resources for 12 years with Fortune 500 companies such as AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile USA. With a passion to take the entrepreneurial plunge, Jan-Ie left corporate America in 2005 and started SATAY Thai Bistro & Bar, a family-owned restaurant in Las Vegas. Jan-Ie is committed to serving her community, donating her time to organizations such as Chefs for Kids, Nevada Small Business Council, and Las Vegas China Town Lions Club. She was recognized by the Asian American Group Las Vegas as one of the “Community Achievement Award” honorees in 2017 and Vegas Inc. as one of the “Women to Watch” in 2012. She currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Young Asian Pacific American Leaders and is the NEW Director of Diversity-Equity-Inclusion Council of Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Nevada, which honored SATAY as the “2011 Minority Business of the Year.” Jan-Ie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington. Chamber Diversity Council Member Rita Vaswani, Chamber Diversity-Equity-Inclusion Council Member Rita Vaswani is the Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager at Nevada State Bank and has more than 2 decades of banking experience. She is a Certified Medical Banker with a strong background in health care and focuses on banking relationships primarily serving the State’s Health care business industry. Dedicated to volunteerism and strongly believes in giving back to her community, Rita serves on several medical, nonprofit and advocacy boards. She is also the Founder/ President of the Nevada Congressional Awards Nevada Chapter. She was appointed by U.S. Sen. Harry Reid to the board of directors of the Congressional Awards and served as Chairman of the Nevada Congressional Award Council & Advisory Board Member National Congressional Award in Washington, DC. She is the New Council Member on the DEI (Diversity-Equity-Inclusion Council) and Executive Board Member for the Nevada State Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Rita is the also the President of the India Chamber of Commerce and Asian America Group. 10 | Chamber Bi-Monthly Business News
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Panelist Marissa Hawkins, Multi Unit Business Owner, Massage Envy Marissa Hawkins and her high-school sweetheart of 30 years, husband Mario Hawkins opened the first Massage Envy in Las Vegas 16 years ago on April 7, 2005. The Galleria location was the 32nd Massage Envy to open and now there are close to 1100 plus locations nationwide. In the Vegas Valley there are a total of 13 locations. One of the biggest rewards Marissa and her husband Mario has been able to achieve by being business owners is the gift to provide jobs to almost 200+ employees and service thousands of members and guests each year who need wellness in their lives. Being a business owner also has allowed Marissa and her husband to give back to the community by way of participation in many community events such as Susan G. Komen, Santa Run, Healing Hands for arthritis, raised over $150,000 of massage services donated to the US Vets (Marissa’s husband being a former veteran himself ) from our local members, and most recently this year again we raised an astounding $140,000 to give to our Healthcare Heroes who served and continue to serve on the front lines during this pandemic. Marissa also sits on many of the Advisory Boards to the massage and cosmetology schools. Panelist Puoy Premsrirut, Attorney & Owner of Brown, Brown & Premsrirut Puoy Premsrirut is a practicing attorney and owner at the association of law firms, Brown Brown & Premsrirut, servicing both litigation and transactional clients in primarily corporate structure and governance, various business and real estate matters, but residential and commercial transactions. Ms. Premsrirut has garnered over the last nearly two decades clientele in restaurant and nightlife operations serving such clients as Player’s Locker, Drai’s Beachclub & Nightclub, Crazy Horse III Gentlemen’s Club, Senor Frogs, Pure Management Group, Sugar Factory, Sapphires Gentlemen’s Club, Cabo Wabo, and numerous others. Ms. Premsrirut also represents clients in the Nevada cannabis space including Thrive Cannabis Marketplace, Nuleaf, Green Therapeutics and other key principals in the industry. Ms. Premsrirut has also represented multiple physicians, medical practices, and key executives in the hotel & casino industry. Premsrirut has served on charitable and educational boards for local and regional organizations, including the Asian Chamber of Commerce, the Asian Bar Association of Las Vegas, and the Las Vegas Children Foundation. Since 2013, she has served as commissioner of the Colorado River Commission of Nevada and as Chairwoman for the last several years. She lives in Nevada with her family. Panelist Ulynna Chung, Owner of Chung Insurance Agency Prior to opening her State Farm agency, Ulyanna Chung was a federal law enforcement officer for six years. She was with the U.S. Customs Service for four years, and a federal air marshal for two years. During her time in federal law enforcement, she was accepted into the Federal Leadership Program, received two Customs Commissioner’s Award and numerous expert shooter awards. She is originally from Southern California and a proud UCLA alumna (Go Bruins!). She has been married for over seventeen years and is a mother to two very teenage boys (Pray for her). She has served on the board of several non-profit organizations. She is on the council of Leadership Las Vegas, and is a board member of Entrepreneur’s Organization Las Vegas. She is also serving as a council member on the Nevada Division of Insurance Commissioner’s Agent Advisory Council. She has been a State Farm agent for over seventeen years. As a ChFC, her agency’s mission is to be a difference in the lives of the people in our team, our agency, and our community. Chung Insurance Agency, Inc continues to provide insurance and financial services to the Las Vegas area. We strive to be a difference in the lives of the people on our team, our agency, and our community! MAY | JUNE 2021
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KEVIN FAIRCHILD NEW MARKETING DIRECTOR Went to college in the 70’s earned a BA in Business Admin. After graduation worked in Insurance for 5 years. Worked in medical for 25 years, purchasing, project coordinating and fund raising. After that I spent 15 years working with the public, Community involvement, fund raising and community relations. Belonged to six chambers in the Las Vegas Valley. Worked closely with several charities. Has been a member of the Women’s chamber for 10 years. Due to my up bringing I have always been involved in fund raising. I have been married for 42 years, have 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren. As the Director of Marketing, I look forward to working with all of our members.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2021
ATHENA® CATEGORIES Women’s Leadership Nomination Young Professional Leadership Nomination Organization Leadership Nomination
ATHENA® International Award Nominations
JULY 15, 2021 to AUGUST 15, 2021
(702) 733-3955
ATHENA@womenschamberofnevada.org www.womenschamberofnevada.org 12 | Chamber Bi-Monthly Business News
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w w w.w o m e n s c h a m b e r o f n e v a d a . o r g
Message from the.. Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer
Dear Readers & Members, The Women’s Chamber is celebrating our 19th year anniversary with our members and major corporations who have supported the State Women’s Chamber since May 8, 2002. As the Founder, President and CEO, it has been a wonderful journey and here is a little of our history. History: The Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Nevada is a Women-Owned Nevada State Chamber in Nevada’s 157-year history! The Historical State Women’s Chamber was established May 8, 2002 by June L Beland, who also owns of ABC Publishing© since 1977 to present. She was introduced to the idea of starting a Women’s State chamber for Nevada through the U.S. Chamber, which she was a member of for her business for over 20 years. What most people do not know is that June Beland invested her own money for the first five years until which point the WCCNV membership grew to financial stability moving forward with the help of her own company ABC Publishing©. She used her publishing company to promote the History of our Women’s Chamber Diversity News© to help market the members and give them a platform in the media in Las Vegas and Nevada (About local and state news, chamber membership-relocation & visitors’ section). As a State Women’s Chamber for Nevada, we are Non-Partisan, no political affiliation with any side (our members chose their own candidates not WCCNV). We support all diversity women in business and local and state officials. We are a NON-Partisan Chamber (No political affiliation or PAC fund) and support all women in all areas of ownership or careers. Our Government Affair Council Director is Ms. Anita Laruy who has served 30 years in legal and government. We also have a Diversity-Equity-Inclusion Committee and cover all aspects of diversity with our New Director of (DEI) Jan-Ie Low who will host our first live 2021 Diversity Luncheon on May 14, 2021 during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May). At this event there will be a panel of three top Asian Women in Las Vegas and her Diversity-Equity-Inclusion council member Ms. Rita Vaswani. As the CEO of WCCNV I am always promoting all diversity Chambers of Commerce within the State of Nevada, work with all 45 state chambers in the US, and email all our publications to thousands of city chambers around the US as well. 14 | Chamber Bi-Monthly Business News
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US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES $3.5M FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TO PLACE MORE WOMEN IN REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS, NONTRADITIONAL OCCUPATIONS
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of
unions and workers to create a successful
Labor today announced a funding opportunity
environment for women to prosper in those
of $3.5 million for up to 10 grants to increase and
careers.
retain the number of women in quality Registered
• Setting up support groups, facilitating networks
Apprenticeship Programs and nontraditional
and providing supportive services for women to
occupations such as those in the manufacturing,
improve their retention rate.
infrastructure, cybersecurity and healthcare industries.
These grants seek to address the significant under-representation of women in apprenticeship
Administered by the department’s Women’s
programs and in general in high-growth, high-wage
Bureau and its Employment and Training
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math-related
Administration, the Women in Apprenticeship
occupations. While women make up nearly half of
and Nontraditional Occupations grant program
the U.S. labor force, they comprise only 12 percent of
supports community-based organizations to recruit,
Registered Apprentices.
mentor, train and retain more women in Registered Apprenticeships and nontraditional occupations.
Registered Apprenticeships offer workers a pathway
Applicants must provide one or more of the
to the middle class and help companies recruit,
following types of technical assistance:
develop and retain a highly skilled workforce. In addition to their long history in skilled trades
• Developing pre-apprenticeship, Registered
such as construction, emerging and high-growth
Apprenticeship or nontraditional skills training
industries like manufacturing, infrastructure,
programs to prepare women for those careers.
cybersecurity and healthcare are increasing their use
• Providing ongoing orientations for employers,
of apprenticeships.
Read about the WANTO grant program, 2020 WANTO grant recipients and Frequently Asked Questions. Apply for 2021 WANTO grant at grants.gov. Agency: Women’s Bureau | Contact: Laura McGinnis | Phone Number: (202) 693-4653 | Email: mcginnis.laura.k@dol.gov MAY | JUNE 2021
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Chamber Volunteers Board Members* & Members Amie Jo Greer Anita Laruy* Evi Paolillo Barbara Henry Berenice Church* Brenda Gayle Bryant Cassondra Cotton* Dawn Kyles Dolores Campuzano Pignatello* Jan-Ie Low Kevin Fairchild Laura Fairchild Marie Scrofani* Patricia Lee* Rita Vaswani* Summer Clark-Webb* Tamra Coulter Tracie Feliciano Yuan-Fen Lai
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Women In Power Business Magazine© Digital & Print – Member & Consumer Publication SUMMER ISSUE: July/Aug/Sept 2021 Advertising OPEN NOW Prime/Cover: Deadline 5-28-21 To Printer: 6-18-21 | Publication date: : 7-02-21 Payment: Credit Card or Check Advertising Contacts: Marie Scrofani, Chamber Administrator | (702) 682-9200 marie@womenschamberofnevada.org Kevin Fairchild, Marketing Director | (702) 343-7921 k.fairchild.womenschamberofnv@gmail.com
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Save the date! The SBA will host an online panel discussion on May 27, 2021 with Asian American/Pacific Islander-owned small businesses as they share their small business stories and how they pivoted during the pandemic and utilized SBA’s critical financial lifelines.
Be Inspired:
Small Business Success Story MAY | JUNE 2021
The SBA will also share resources available to help AAPI entrepreneurs launch new businesses, compete in the marketplace, and connect with the training and funding opportunities to help recover and rebuild. Registration will be available soon.
During Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we’re highlighting inspiring people like Lisa Chin who are making a big impact on the economy and their communities. In 1988, a group of Seattle-based social workers founded the nonprofit organization Treehouse on the belief that kids in foster care deserve a community that is committed to their success. Funded by bake sales and car washes, they started small, purchasing little things such as birthday presents and school supplies. Chamber Bi-Monthly Business News | 23
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Message from...
Dolores Campuzano Pignatello 8 Years ago, today I became a part of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Nevada Board and never looked back The Women’s Chamber of Commerce strives to be a leading agent of change; to stimulate orderly growth and economic development, to address local, state and national issues affecting women, to develop social responsibilities affecting homes, schools, health, and to promote the free enterprise system. Our chambers history started May 8, 2002 as the only Women’s Chamber in Nevada’s 150-year history and one of the three standalones (means not connected to a city chamber), only State Chamber in Nevada and one of three Women’s State Chamber’s in the U.S.A. even today. During my 8 years with the Chamber, I have been a part of so many amazing things: the creation of the Legacy Foundation - Achieving your Dreams to Education Scholarship Program, honoring women in Nevada for their contributions, supporting and mentoring the Young Professionals Group, I have participated in speaking engagements promoting
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women in Nevada, charity events, fundraiser events, women development workshops, scholarship and youth program judge, did my first podcast, but most of all, I have had a chance to help our Community grow and along the way had an opportunity to build lasting relationships with incredible women in this community who I am beyond blessed to call some of my best friends. Thank you, June L. Beland for your Vision, your Mentorship, your Leadership, your Friendship but most of all, the unconditional love that you have given me since the first day we met... You have created something so amazing for women in this State of ours and I feel honored to be a part of it... and a special thank you to all of the special women and committee members who work tirelessly to make this Organization what it is... It would not be where it is without all of you.
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New Members
Renewals
Catalyst Mastermind Collaborative
A/L Certified Life Coach
Nathan Adelson Hospice
Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce
American Estate & Trust
Nevada System of Higher Education
BeeKonnected
Nevada State College
KVVU FOX 5
City of Las Vegas
Nevada State Bank
Missy Day, Success Consultant
College of Southern Nevada
Sanderson Plumbing
MaidPro Las Vegas
Cox Communications
Tamra L. Coulter, Real Estate Advisor
Direct Realty
The Cosmopolitan
Dress For Success Southern Nevada
The Gayle Group
Phyllis R. Carver
Dynamic Life Changes, LLC
Touro University Nevada
R & D Nutrition for Life
Edward Jones Investments- Karen
Trinity Insurance, LLC
Wojtowicz
Tamra L. Coulter, Real Estate Advisor
Epic Worldwide LLC
Wells Fargo Bank
The Alternative Board*
Henderson Police Department
Western Governors University-Nevada
Zen Business
Hutchison & Steffen LLC
Jill M Branson, Communication Strategist Kim Wescott Photography
Nanny’s & Granny’s Optum Css/Optum Films Pearl Med Spa
State Safety Seal Terri the Temporary LLC The Warnick Group
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The Eighteenth Annual A T H E N A AWA R D S ®
Host Organization: Women's Chamber of Commerce of Nevada ® Fundraiser for WCCNV Legacy Foundation (Scholarships for "At Risk" Female Students & Women) Scholarship Name: "Achieving Your Dreams through Education"
18 TH ANNUAL ATHENA INTERNATIONAL ®
Leadership Award
ATHENA INTERNATIONAL ®
Young Professional Award
ATHENA INTERNATIONAL ®
Organizational Award SPECIAL AWARDS
Minority Lifetime Achievement Award
Legacy Foundation Scholarship Silent Auction
For our "At Risk" Female High School Students "Achieving Your Dreams Through Education"
October 22, 2021 TO BE A SPONSOR OR ADVERTISER Email: ATHENA@womenschamberofnevada.org or call WCCNV 702.733.3955
Venue TBD
18th Annual ATHENA International Award Luncheon Theme "Achieving your dreams through Education"
VIP Champagne Reception Sponsored by Legacy Foundation Board of Directors