The new year started on a high note at St. Viator Parish School in Las Vegas, with the news that one of its parents is Nevada’s new lieutenant governor.
Lisa Cano Burkhead takes her oath of office, with husband, Jeffrey behind her and daughters (L-R) Raquel and Sofia watching.
Lisa Cano Burkhead was sworn in Dec. 16 on the steps of the Nevada State Capitol. Afterwards, she posed with Gov. Steve Sisolak and her husband Jeff, and daughters Raquel, a fourth grader, and Sofia, a third grader at St. Viator School.
Gov. Steve Sisolak and Lt. Gov. Lisa Cano Burkhead
Burkhead was appointed by Gov. Sisolak to succeed Kate Marshall, who left to accept a job in the Biden administration.
“We looked outside of the box, to bring the community into government,” said Gov. Sisolak in a news report on KOLO 8 News.
Burkhead has an extensive background in education and says she intends to be a voice for educators, kids and parents.
“I want to use my life’s experience as a teacher, principal, administrator and as a parent, to be Nevada’s advocate for education in my new role as lieutenant governor,” Burkhead in that same report.
While Burkhead has worked to make critical reforms in public education, she chose St. Viator Parish School for her own children. News of the appointment topped the Viator Voice email to school families this week, where Principal Katie Kiss said the entire parish and school community are excited for the Burkhead family.
“This is a momentous honor for Lisa; she is an incredibly deserving educator,” Kiss said. “This will be a busy time, and we stand ready to support the kids. Our school looks forward to collaborating with our new Lt. Governor!”
(L-R) Fr. Thomas von Behren, Lt. Gov. Lisa Burkead, Gov. Steve Sisolak and Cisco Aguilar, CRSV board chair
Burkhead’s Viatorian connection extend even further. She served as a board member of Cristo Rey St. Viator College Prep, which opened in 2019. She even invited Fr. Thomas von Behren, CSV, President of CRSV, to be on hand the morning of the swearing in, when she was introduced to the media and to the public by Gov. Sisolak, and then flew him to Carson City for the actual ceremony.
“Lt. Gov. Lisa Burkhead served s a member of our school’s board of trustees and has also been working closely with our principal, Mrs. Melissa Gruenhagen as a professional mentor over the past four months,” Fr. von Behren said. “We are excited for the state of Nevada to have such a successful and accomplished educational leader as our new Lt. Governor, who has strong connections to both Cristo Rey St. Viator College Preparatory and St. Viator Elementary School here in Las Vegas.”