Student philanthropists share experiences at forum
Quiet, grown-ups. Kids are talking.
They have important things to say, too. Philanthropy, volunteerism and education are among the topics.
Local students Ciera Cypert and Matt Soto recently spoke to a crowd of local philanthropists and business and government leaders about their experiences advocating for charitable causes.
It took place during the Philanthropy Leaders Forum March 1 at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, 888 W. Bonneville Ave., and The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave.
A man from the crowd approached them after the program and said, “I hope my children grow up to be like you someday.”
Other speakers included Peter Buffett, son of billionaire Warren Buffett; Larry Ruvo, chairman of Keep Memory Alive; Alexandra Epstein, executive vice president of the El Cortez; Betsy Fretwell, Las Vegas city manager; Zach Ware, campus development director of Zappos and the Downtown Project; Heather duBoef, co-founder of Nevada Women’s Philanthropy; and Punam Mathur, vice president of employee and community engagement for NV Energy.
The event was hosted by the Moonridge Group, a community development company that works with donors on their charitable visions.
Cypert, 17, is a junior at West Career and Technical Academy, 11945 W. Charleston Blvd. She got a crash course in philanthropy and nonprofit organizations during her sophomore year. She was part of the Public Education Foundation’s We R Community program, which teaches students from 14 local high schools to run charitable foundations. Each school receives $5,000 to give away at the end of the school year.
Cypert and her classmates donated money to three organizations that help rape victims.
Cypert’s most memorable volunteer moment happened in September when her school hosted an event for Pedal to the Medal, a biking marathon to benefit the Special Olympics.
Cypert spent all day with Thomas, a young Special Olympics athlete. The two bonded over their love for swimming.
“I remember handing Thomas back to his mother and having to pry his delicate, little fingers from my hand,” Cypert said during her speech. “His mother gave me the most genuine smile, hugged me and thanked me. Thomas gave me one last hug and was gone.
“It’s kind of funny how they call it ‘giving,’ because after that day, I really considered it to be ‘taking,’ ” she said. “I took more from that day than I could give in a hundred years.”
Soto, a student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a graduate of Basic High School, 400 N. Palo Verde Drive, Henderson, focused on a nonprofit organization he plans to create that will help youths.
Soto also participated in the We R Community program, which he said sparked his interest in charity work.
“Philanthropy has helped me realize my love for people,” Soto said. “Throughout my senior year, I put my whole heart in it to see what could happen. I learned you get what you put in it. It made me proud and happy seeing how much I can impact peoples’ lives in a positive manner, as well as getting others to see they can help, too.
“It was more rewarding than anything I have ever done,” he said.
Contact View education reporter Jeff Mosier at jmosier@viewnews.com or 224-5524.
