City Of Las Vegas: Top Five Videos Of 2021

Las Vegas NV

29 December, 2021

1:32 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Las Vegas: Dec 28, 2021 As 2021 comes to a close, we take a look back at some of the videos that inspired and gained a lot of attention from our viewers. From local athletes heading to the Olympic games in Tokyo, to businesses and communities pulling together during the pandemic, 2021 brought with it new challenges and hope for the future.  Shaquille O'Neil Basketball Courts One of the high points for the city of Las Vegas was when the Shaquille O'Neal Foundation refurbished the basketball courts at the Doolittle Complex. Shaq was there for the unveiling to inspire young athletes to follow their dreams telling the kids, "This is not my court, this is your court-this is for you." The basketball court renovation is an initiative of The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation and Icy Hot as part of their "Comebaq Courts" program that refurbishes existing public basketball courts throughout the country to ensure young athletes have access to quality courts so they can "get back in the game."  The beautiful new courts also feature two special art installations, one a life-sized pair of "Shaq" shoes and a six-foot LED lighted basketball. Sandpipers head to the Olympics Las Vegas is home to a lot of outstanding athletes. In 2021 many athletes from Las Vegas headed to the Summer Olympics in Japan. The Sandpipers of Nevada swim team sent four swimmers to compete. Before heading to Tokyo, Sandpiper swimmer Erica Sullivan told us, "If there's one thing that Team USA gets done, it's bringing home some hardware."  The team lived up to her comment, with Bowe Becker claiming a gold medal, Erica Sullivan and Bella Sims each taking silver and 15-year-old Katie Grimes coming close with a fourth-place finish. We sat down with the Olympians just before they took off to the games. National Teacher of the Year While Las Vegas athletes gained the world's attention at the Olympics, one local educator made history when she was selected the National Teacher of the Year.  Juliana Urtubey works as a special education teacher in the heart of Las Vegas at Kermit Booker Elementary School. When First Lady, Jill Biden, an educator herself, made a surprise visit to the school to congratulate Urtubey she said, "She is just the epitome of a great teacher, a great educator." Urtubey has been an educator for 11 years and she's always gravitated to folks who learn and think differently.  "I just really appreciate their brilliance, being a special education teacher helps me find their strengths and design learning in a way that really makes them love learning." Snappy Burger Opens Businesses began to bounce back in 2021 after the pandemic forced many to close their doors. With so many still fearful and uncertain about leaving home, business owner Jeff Basso came up with a unique idea to allow people to get out for dinner and a movie, without leaving their car.  He's the creator of the drive-thru burger joint and outdoor movie theater, Snappy Burger. "You're in your own world, in your own car, with your own family." Welcome Back, Main Street Station! The city worked hard throughout the year offering support and assistance to help businesses come back after the pandemic. In March 2020, Main Street Station closed its doors, but this year the Victorian-era-themed brewery hotel and casino re-opened. This press release was produced by the City of Las Vegas. The views expressed here are the author's own.