Local youngster earns part in Disney movie ‘Old Dogs’

Las Vegas resident Conner Rayburn, 8, has landed an acting role in the Walt Disney Pictures’ movie “Old Dogs.”

The film, starring John Travolta, Robin Williams, Matt Dillon and Kelly Preston, is about a divorced father of twins and his friend and business partner who care for them for two weeks.

Rayburn, who is enrolled in Kim Flowers Talent Development Academy, will play one of the twins.

“Old Dogs” is scheduled to be released in 2008.

In other youth news:

* Katie Michaels, 11, has been selected to attend the Junior National Young Leaders Conference Oct. 6-11 in Washington, D.C. A sixth-grader at St. Christopher Catholic School, Katie will participate in educational activities, visit historical sites and meet with elected officials and congressional staff on Capitol Hill. The theme of the fall conference is “Voices of Leadership: Reflecting on the Past to Create the Future.”

* Derek Williams, a senior at Community College High School-West, and Daniel McCready, a senior at Canyon Springs High School, attended the American Legion Boys Nation at Marymount University in Arlington, Va., July 20-28. Derek and Daniel, both 17, were selected as Nevada’s delegates based on their leadership skills, academic records and activity at American Legion Boys State.

* The Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors recently named the winners of its annual poster contest. The winners were awarded saving bonds ranging from $75 to $200 and a Color Creativity paint set.

The first-place winners are: Yazmin Alvarez of Booker Elementary School in the kindergarten through second grade level; home-schooled Natasha Culbreth in the third- through fifth-grade category; Jennifer Mendez of Hughes Middle School in the sixth- through eighth-grade grouping; and Eliza Zanonz of Coronado High School in the ninth- through 12th-grade division.

* Nine young men from the Las Vegas Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America have recently become Eagle Scouts:

Jordan K H Chong, 14, is the son of Jerell and Wendie Chong. He is a member of Troop No. 912.

Jace Ewing, 18, and Ethan Ewing, 16, are the sons of Willard and Leslie Ewing. Jace and Ethan are both members of Troop No. 181.

Jacob Gibson, 18, is the son of Judy and Todd Gibson. He is a member of Troop No. 270.

Greg Keys, 15, is the son of David and Connie Keys. He is a member of Troop No. 700.

Joshua C. MacDavid, 18, is the son of Chris and James MacDavid. He is a member of Troop No. 555.

Matthew Mortensen, 15, is the son of David and Cindy Mortensen. He is a member of Troop No. 338.

Scott Perkins, 16, is the son of Diana and Bruce Perkins. He is a member of Troop No. 99.

Ryan Taylor, 15, is the son of James and Deborah Taylor. He is a member of Troop No. 469.

If you know of a worthy candidate for this column, mail information to Youth Spotlight, Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070, or send faxes to 383-4676.