PBS Reno Announces 2026 Spotlight Awards Finalists
Spotlight Awards Gala admission and sponsorship opportunities are available now!
RENO, NV (JUL 1, 2026) – PBS Reno is pleased to announce the 15 finalists for the 2026 Spotlight Awards:
Extraordinary Individual
Exec. Director, Northern Nevada International Center at UNR
CEO, Empowered Ventures Media Group
CEO, Locus Development Group and Board President, Reno Ice
Extraordinary Student
Student Government Association Senator, TMCC
Lemonade Stand Owner = 1,000+ backpacks
Philanthropist and Founder of Kids Teach University (KTU)
Extraordinary Educator
Music Teacher and Choir Director, Bohach Elementary School
Early Childhood Special Education Teacher, JWood Raw Elementary School
Principal, Traner Middle School
Extraordinary Community Group
Extraordinary Business
“PBS Reno has always been the place for local stories, and each year we’re pleased that we can share the stories of the Spotlight Award nominees,” said Dave Santina, PBS Reno Director of Local Content. “The nominees are always surprised and grateful to be nominated and their unique stories are inspiring to this community. I hope everyone takes the time to learn about them all.”
The community is invited to vote online for their favorite finalists weekly through July 31, 2026. The winners will be announced during the Spotlight Awards Gala on Friday, September 18 at the Reno Ballroom at 401 N. Center Street in downtown Reno.
“Each year, we are pleased to recognize outstanding groups and individuals, nominated by our community, for what they do to make this such a great place to live and work,” said Kurt Mische, PBS Reno President & CEO. “This year’s nominees are no exception. Each is worthy of recognition and we are excited to see who is voted on.”
The Spotlight Awards Gala is PBS Reno’s biggest fundraiser of the year with proceeds benefiting PBS Reno Curiosity Classroom workshops, local productions, and community events including Be My Neighbor Day each summer. During the Spotlight Awards Gala, PBS Reno will also celebrate Nick and Debbie Rossi, the 2026 Extraordinary Philanthropists of the Year.
About PBS Reno
In fiscal year 2024-2025, PBS Reno reached 592,189 monthly viewers in northern and central Nevada and northeastern California across several platforms including three broadcast channels (PBS Reno 5.1, Reno Create 5.2, and PBS KIDS on PBS Reno 5.3), a YouTube channel, YouTube TV, online, livestreams, and digital platforms. PBS Reno provides PBS national programming and award-earning, locally-produced content, with many local segments posted weekly to PBS Reno’s YouTube channel. PBSReno.org provides engaging interactive content, including the video portal at watch.PBSReno.org that streams all locally-produced content and most PBS national content. PBS Reno serves students, teachers, parents and caregivers through immersive educational services including Curiosity Classroom workshops that bring classroom lessons to life with standards-based lessons and activities. Through the support of local corporations and foundations, as well as thousands of individual members, PBS Reno has been delivering public television and educational services to the communities it serves since September 29, 1983.
Contact us:
Membership Questions: membership@pbsreno.org
Programming Hotline: programming@pbsreno.org
Phone: 775.600.0555
Address: 1670 N. Virginia St. • Reno NV 89503