A Memorable Success For Students, Volunteers and Guests
The Avery Burton Foundation (ABF), with generous sponsor support from the Las Vegas Raiders, Lexus of Las Vegas, Arana Software, RB Group-Public Relations and others recently held its First Annual Avery Burton Foundation Scholarship Event and Gala at Resorts World Las Vegas.
Five Clark County students each received a $1,000 scholarship in honor of their achievements in the classroom, athletics and for expressing themselves in essays describing how they had overcome adversities in their lives.
More than 300 students submitted applications for 2025.
Students who received the 2025 Avery Burton Excellence in Academics & Sports Memorial Scholarships were: Elizabeth Babauta, Durango High School, Varsity Soccer and Varsity Badminton; Alice Ciobanu, Coronado High School, Elite Swimming; Dexter Brimhall, Coronado High School, Varsity Volleyball; Justin Montoya, Southeast Career Technical Academy, Cross Country, Track and Field; and Bailey Haberman, Silverado High School, Varsity Tennis.
The theme of the event was “Creating Mental Health Champions.” Students who attended – Babauta, Ciobanu and Brimhall – each gave heartfelt speeches about overcoming adversity.
Dr. David Beck was recognized with an ABF “Volunteer of the Year” Award. The Las Vegas Raiders were named Corporate “Mental Health Champion,” and ex-Raider and current Baltimore Raven John Jenkins was named “Mental Health Champion” of the year.
“We are grateful for the support from the community that helped create this historic event,” ABF Founder Reggie Burton said. “Many guests who attended stated that this gala was the most impactful event they’ve attended this year. We are excited to see how it grows in the future.”
More than $6,000 was raised from a silent auction that included Las Vegas Raiders Experience Ticket packages, hotel stays, wine, designer eye frames, mediation packages, books and much more.
“We want to thank the Raiders for their sponsorship that helped us create a meaningful and memorable evening filled with storytelling, inspiration and hope,” ABF Board Member Christina Aldan said. “Because of their generosity, we were able to spotlight powerful voices in mental health and honor our outstanding scholarship recipients.”
“We were delighted to recognize the Las Vegas Raiders with our first ABF Corporate Mental Health Champion Award and for defensive tackle John Jenkins, who received our Mental Health Champion Award,” Aldan added. “We also want to thank KSNV-News 3 Anchor Marie Mortera for her heartfelt emceeing and Resorts World Las Vegas for their gourmet five-course dinner and vibrant atmosphere.”
For all those who attended the gala and want to continue their journey with ABF, they are invited to register for a seven-hour virtual Mental Health First Aid Training on Saturday, July 19, 2025, sponsored by Arana Software.Visit www.averyburtonfoundation.org/training-center to receive sign-up instructions. Spots are limited, and it’s first-come, first-served.”
ABF is also offering a Mental Health First Aid course at the end of August for those who work with adults It’s tentatively scheduled for Aug. 23 or 30. Stay up to date by receiving a training email list on the ABF website.
ABF and the scholarships were established in 2018 by the Burton Family. Scholarships are awarded each year to honor and remember Avery Rashawn Burton, who two months after graduating from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), suffered a major depressive episode and died from suicide in July 2017 at age 22. He had just received his degree in May 2017 in Kinesiological Sciences and planned to pursue a doctoral degree in physical therapy at UNLV.
The Avery Burton Foundation (ABF) is a 501c.3 Nevada nonprofit. For more information on ABF, to donate or learn about volunteer opportunities, please visit: averyburtonfoundation.org
Reggie Burton
Founder
Office: 702.588.9202
Cell: 702.604.4283
Email: Info@AveryBurtonFoundation
Website: www.averyburtonfoundation.org
