Vegas Magazine - Niche Media - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
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iz Lesser's "sweet baby girl" is many years away from going to her own high school dances, but Mom is elbow-deep in prom preparation anyway. Lesser (FAR LEFT) is part of a group called Joy Prom Las Vegas, which is dedicated to bringing the high school tradition to groups such as Down Syndrome Organization of Southern Nevada, Good A NEW KIND OF PROM QUEEN L Opportunity Friends, Holdsworth, Village, New Pinnacle Vista, Services Community, and REM. The next event will be held this coming May at M Resort. "It is a quint- essential prom for teenagers and adults with cognitive and physical impairments," she says. "Every guest is celebrated and accepted." Lesser got involved with Joy Prom two years ago as the marketing chair on the Board of Directors. She now helps create brand identity for the organization, which includes 600 volun- teers. The annual prom would cost about half a million dollars to put on for 300 guests, but is made possible by the time and resources donated by community partners. "It's about see- ing the smiles," she says, "and feeling the joy from the guests." THE WISH GRANTER A fter more than 10 years with Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada, it's a safe bet to say that Victoria Otter (RIGHT, THIS PAGE) likes to make wishes come true for critically and terminally ill children. "We had a little girl who wanted to be in a fashion show," Otter says. "Fashion Show mall let us throw one for her, and after getting her hair done, she walked the runway with a grin from ear to ear." With a sigh, she adds, "I don't know anyone who can say no to a sick child." Otter, a political consultant, speaks from the heart: She began working with Make-A-Wish while her nephew was fighting a six-year battle with leukemia, which he ultimately lost. "Those wishes brought him so much joy," says Otter, who has since gotten her three children involved. "What people don't realize is that a lot of the wishes are so simple and attainable. We just need to make them happen." ON LIZ LESSER: 31.45 carat Riviera oval diamond necklace ($251,000), 8.53 carat Legacy diamond earrings ($106,000), and Whisper diamond bracelet ($40,100), all by Kwiat ON VICTORIA OTTER: 52.74 carat Legacy diamond necklace ($358,000); American Beauty button earrings ($39,100); and two Riviera diamond line bracelets ($27,200 and $21,800), all by Kwiat 104 VEGASMAGAZINE.COM