LaQuita Ginn can spin her own version of a fabled Army motto. Hers would be duty, honor, casino.

The Flagstaff, Arizona, native has made quite an impression at the Rampart Casino since her 2004 debut. Fresh off U.S. Air Force tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, Ginn became highly decorated in the gaming world. The buffet server already holds two major distinctions—earning a Premier Performer award for the second quarter of 2007 and saving a patron’s life.

Late one summer afternoon, Ginn saw a customer turning blue and performed the Heimlich maneuver to help him avert death. It was a deed worthy of a Hollywood script, but Ginn’s reaction was typically modest. Her low-key, engaging demeanor blends with a strong sense of professionalism.

“I didn’t think much of it at the time, it’s just something I hope someone would do for me if I was in that situation,” Ginn says. “It has always been a value in my family to be of service to people. I was brought up on the idea of helping your community. It’s an agenda in my life. It’s great to be needed; it’s great to help someone.”

Ginn took high values to a high stage. She served on search-and-rescue units for the Air Force, helping teams which brought wounded soldiers and civilians to safety. Observing serious life situations provided a fresh perspective.

“Being in the service did change my outlook about complaining about the small things,” Ginn says. “It could always be different. Many people are much worse off than you. There is really nothing worth complaining about most of the time.”

Ginn developed a discipline that carried beyond the military. She overcame the absence of good food and the presence of boredom. There was no television. Ginn is one of the rare people to actually miss American commercials.

Throughout the ordeal, Ginn had a different kind of TV—tunnel vision.

“When you’re in the service, you realize that you signed up for this and that you must keep focus,” Ginn says. “You keep attention on what’s going on around you because if you don’t, you can cost someone their life. I think that ability to stay on your mission helps when you get out and into something else. You aren’t going to panic. You are going to be organized.”

Ginn is organized and motivated. She is a full-time UNLV student, preparing to graduate with a sociology degree. Ginn giggles about gaming’s extended tour of duty.

“I got into it because I was going on a cruise and just wanted some money for it,” Ginn says. “It turned out to be quite a lot of fun, so it’s gone on a lot longer than that. I really enjoy the people.

“Everybody has a different personality. I get to observe customers and workers, to see how they interact. It’s quite interesting. With customers, some want to talk. You get to know them, everything from their dogs and their kids and their family. It’s fun.”

With military precision, Ginn balances school during the week and work on weekends. It’s not easy to pursue a degree and do homework after drawing a paycheck. It’s not easy to work for grades with a 27th birthday approaching.

Yet for Ginn, who blows out the candles December 13, high achievement is no big deal.

By Dave Bontempo

Casino Connection Sports Editor Dave Bontempo is an award-winning sports writer and broadcaster who calls boxing matches all over the world. He has covered the Philadelphia Flyers in the playoffs, as well as numerous PGA, LPGA and Seniors Golf Tour events, and co-hosted the Casino Connection television program with Publisher Roger Gros.

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