Communities In Schools of Southern Nevada (CIS of Southern Nevada), part of the nation’s leading evidence-based stay-in-school organization serving 70,000-plus students in 80+ schools throughout Clark County School District, recently recognized three students at its Power Within event for their remarkable improvement during the 2024-2025 school year.
The outstanding students recognized for their scholastic and personal achievements include Elijah Hines from Lois Craig Elementary School; Khloe McIver from Brinley Middle School; and Tony Valladares from Eldorado High School.
The accomplishments of these students are a powerful testament to their resilience, determination, and potential. CIS partners with high-need schools across the region to help students overcome barriers and achieve success.
A special thank you to this year’s Power Within co-presenting sponsors, Cox Communications and NV Energy Foundation as well as Acrisure, Buzz Events, Howard Hughes, Shepard Exposition and Shepard Audio Visual.
Meet our 2025 Power Within Honorees:
- Tony, 12th grader, Eldorado High School – Ruby Corona, site coordinator at Eldorado High School, has worked with Tony since he was in ninth grade and has seen his growth over the past four years. He hopes to study computing and engineering technology in college and one day mentor students who may be experiencing similar hardships.
- Khloe, 8th grader, Brinley Middle School – Watch Khloe’s story below to see why Whitney McClure, site coordinator at Brinley Middle School, nominated this student for her resilience and hard work.
- Elijah, 5th grader, Lois Craig Elementary School – Casey Abad, site coordinator at Lois Craig Elementary School, nominated Elijah for his remarkable growth, leadership skills, and unmet potential that he recognized immediately after meeting him. Watch his story below.
CIS of Southern Nevada also named Rocio Ledesma, a CIS site coordinator at Eldorado High School, as the Martin Serrano “Unsung Hero of the Year” in recognition of her passionate dedication to improving the lives and well-being of students throughout her nearly 11-year career with CIS.. The “Unsung Hero of the Year” award is named after Serrano, a CIS site coordinator who made a lasting, positive impact on hundreds of students who turned to him during his time with the organization. Like Serrano, recipients find ways to invest in the success of the community, take time to understand the values of the people we serve, and recognize the strength and impact that comes from positive relationships.
Power Within recognized the following partners for their remarkable contributions to CIS and our students:
- Academy Teacher of the Year – Emilyne Smith, Valley High School
- #AllInForKids Champion/Corporate Partner of the Year – NV Energy Foundation
- Alumni of the Year – Kaylee Main-Gomez, Sunrise Mountain High School Graduate, Class of 2020
- Programmatic Partner of the Year – Project Marilyn
- Principals of the Year – Henry Rodda of JD Smith Middle School and Timothy D. Adams of Martinez Elementary School
