Clark County

Amanda Tapia
Nevada GEAR UP Specialist – Bonanza High School
Website: https://www.bonanzabengals.org/
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Amanda Tapia
Nevada GEAR UP Specialist – Bonanza High School
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Bio: Amanda is a born and raised Las Vegas/Las Vegas area resident. She graduated from UNLV in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and has been teaching in the Clark County School District ever since. When she moved up to teach middle school math she found a new passion advocating for students and talking to them about their plans for the future. This led her to pursue a Master’s degree from Touro University in School Counseling, recently graduating in 2021. Amanda is excited to join the GEAR UP team focusing on college and career counseling. Outside of work, Amanda is married with two children and all of her free time is spent at soccer practices, games or a taekwondo studio for her sons.
Favorite Quote: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” -Norman Vincent Peale

Kelly Weddingfeld
Nevada GEAR UP Specialist – Clark High School
Website: https://www.clarkchargers.org/
Hometown: West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
Kelly Weddingfeld
Kelly Weddingfeld
Nevada GEAR UP Specialist – Clark High School
Hometown: West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
Bio: I was raised in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I earned my Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education/Biology and General Science from Slippery Rock University. I moved to Las Vegas during the summer of 1998. I completed a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from Lesley University in 2003. My first teaching job for Clark County School District was during the 1999-2000 school year. I have taught both middle and high school science and computers. I continued my education and graduated from Touro University of Nevada in 2020 with a Master’s Degree in School Counseling. I have served as a middle and high school counselor. I love paddle boarding, live music, and spending time with my family and friends. I am looking forward to working with the GEAR UP team and providing the assistance I wish I had as a student.
Favorite Quote: “Education is one thing no one can take away from you.” – Elin Nordegren

Rita Canonico
Nevada GEAR UP Specialist – Durango High School
Website: https://www.durangohighschool.net/
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Rita Kundanani
Rita Canonico
Nevada GEAR UP Specialist – Durango High School
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Bio: Rita was born in Chicago, IL, and moved to Las Vegas with her family when she started middle school at Roy Martin Middle School. Rita graduated from UNLV in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. She taught for nine years at Las Vegas High School while earning her Master’s degree from UNLV in School Counseling. Rita served as a middle and high school counselor, and a graduation specialist for six years while earning her second Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from UNLV. Rita was an assistant principal for two years before joining the GEAR UP program. Rita is excited to join the GEAR UP team and bring significant college and career exposure to students.
Favorite Quote: “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” ~Steve Jobs

Vannessa Apo
Nevada GEAR UP Specialist – Bonanza High School
Website: https://www.bonanzabengals.org/
Hometown: Woodbridge, Virginia
Vannessa Apo
Vannessa Apo
Nevada GEAR UP Specialist – Bonanza High School
Hometown: Woodbridge, Virginia
Bio: Vannessa grew up in various cities and towns across the USA but refers to Woodbridge, Virginia as her hometown. She moved to Las Vegas in 2005 with her family and completed her Associates in Education at CSN. From there she went on to UNLV where she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She taught 7th grade History while pursuing her Masters in Counseling, which she completed in September of 2021. That same year she embarked on her School Counseling career before moving into GEAR UP. Vannessa loves all things Disney, spending time with her family, catching up on her never-ending list of shows, reading, practicing Yoga, going to concerts, coffee and traveling. She is excited to be a part of the GEAR UP team to support students with their post-secondary goals.
Favorite Quote: “When you’re curious you find lots of interesting things to do.” – Walt Disney

Shannon L. Yeats
Nevada GEAR UP Specialist – Clark High School
Website: https://www.clarkchargers.org/
Hometown: Whitefish, Montana
Shannon Smith
Shannon L. Yeats
Nevada GEAR UP Specialist – Clark High School
Hometown: Whitefish, Montana
Bio:
Shannon grew up in the beautiful resort town of Whitefish, Montana and attended the University of Montana, Missoula for an undergraduate degree in Psychology. She moved to Las Vegas with her family in August of 2000 and completed her master’s degree in Educational Counseling from the University of Phoenix, Las Vegas in October 2002. Shannon began teaching special education in August of 2003 and moved to counseling in August of 2007. She has two sons, both attending college away from home and will be looking for projects and activities to fill that empty nest. In her spare time, she likes reading, cooking, hiking, traveling and spending time with her very large extended family.
Shannon is looking forward to working with the GEAR UP team and helping students and families navigate the road of college and career awareness.
Favorite Quote: “You may see me struggle but you will never see me quit” -Anonymous

Diana Vang
Nevada GEAR UP Specialist – Durango High School
Website: https://www.durangohighschool.net/
Hometown: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Diana Vang
Diana Vang
Nevada GEAR UP Specialist – Durango High School
Hometown: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Bio: Diana was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for her bachelor degree and then the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for her Masters in Counseling. After her time with Minneapolis Public Schools, she continued her counseling career at Durango High School in 2019. Diana moved back to Wisconsin in 2021 and has spent the last few years tattooing at her beauty studio. She is now back in Las Vegas and thrilled to be working with Durango students again in the college and career realm. She’s excited to build strong relationships with students and families while fostering new community partnerships that will benefit them. Outside of work, Diana loves to hike, go sightseeing, and cook with her family.
Favorite Quote: “A little progress each day adds up to big results.” -Satya Nani
Nye County

Jennifer Hagstrom
Nevada GEAR UP Specialist – Pahrump Valley High School
School website: https://pvalley-hs.nye.k12.nv.us/
Hometown: Cadillac, Michigan
Jennifer Hagstrom
Jennifer Hagstrom
Nevada GEAR UP Specialist – Pahrump Valley High School
Hometown: Cadillac, Michigan
Bio: Jennifer is from beautiful Cadillac, Michigan in the scenic Midwest. Upon graduation from Saginaw Valley State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education, she relocated to Pahrump, Nevada where she has been a teacher and counselor at Pahrump Valley High School for the past 15 years. During her tenure in Pahrump, Jen earned her Master’s Degree in School Counseling from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. As a first generation college student herself, Jen made a valuable connection with her high school counselor which drove her to continue to work with students in a counseling setting. She is passionate about helping students navigate the college and career exploration process after graduation, and loves visits from former students. In her spare time, Jen enjoys spending time with friends, family, travelling, and spoiling her dogs Breslin, and Wrigley. Jen is ecstatic to be a part of the GEAR UP family to do the exciting work of helping students to dream, believe and achieve their goals.
Favorite Quote: “When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts.” -Dalai Lama

Yulissa Castillo
GEAR UP Facilitator – Pahrump Valley High School
School website: https://pvalley-hs.nye.k12.nv.us/
Hometown: Pahrump, Nevada
Yulissa Castillo
Yulissa Castillo
Nevada GEAR UP Facilitator – Pahrump Valley High School
Hometown: Pahrump, Nevada
Bio: Yulissa graduated from Pahrump Valley High School in 2015. After graduation she enrolled at CSN. Yulissa worked for the GEAR UP Program from 2015-2019 as the Parent Involvement Liaison. She really enjoyed working with the students, and helping them with their transition to after high school. She’s excited to be back working for GEAR UP! In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and travelling.
Favorite Quote: “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them” Maya Angelou
Vacant
Nevada GEAR UP Facilitator - Pahrump Valley High School
Email:
School website: https://pvalley-hs.nye.k12.nv.us/
Hometown: Pahrump, Nevada
Vacant
Nevada GEAR UP Facilitator - Pahrump Valley High School
@nyeschools.org
Hometown:
Bio:
Favorite Quote:
Mineral County

Meshanna Merrow
GEAR UP Specialist - Mineral County High School
School website: https://mchs.nvmcsd.org/
Hometown: Tonopah, Nevada
Meshanna Merrow
Meshanna Merrow
Nevada GEAR UP Specialist - Mineral County High School
Hometown: Tonopah, Nevada
Bio: Meshanna graduated from Tonopah High School in 2011, and has lived in either Tonopah or Hawthrone since 1996. Meshanna worked for Mineral County School District as their GEAR UP Student/Parent Involvement Facilitator from 2015 to 2018, and is very excited to be back in the GEAR UP saddle. Meshanna is enthusiastic about helping students follow their dreams and achieve their goals. When not working, Meshanna has a husband and two children, and is pursuing a degree in Secondary Education- Mathematics.
Favorite Quote: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela