Evelyn Stuckey
Dublin Core
Title
Evelyn Stuckey
Subject
Source
Women in Nevada History: A Legacy Digital Project
Publisher
Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN)
Rights
This resource is available for education and research purposes. This collection is a collaboration and combination of various projects including, but not limited to; the Women in Nevada History: A Legacy Digital Project, the Nevada Women’s Archives, the Las Vegas Women Oral History Project and the Makers: Women in Nevada History Project, a co-production of the Women's Research Institute of Nevada and VegasPBS. The text, images, audio and video in this collection are under copyright by different repositories and may not be reproduced without express written consent of the appropriate entities.
Relation
Person Item Type Metadata
Work/Contribution
Founder, Las Vegas Rhythmettes
Birth Date
September 10, 1921
Birthplace
Arrival in Las Vegas
1948
Death Date
April 10, 1980
Biographical Text
The Las Vegas High School Rhythmettes traveled the country, making appearances and acting as ambassadors for Las Vegas throughout the 1950s and 1960s. The Rhythmettes were the creation of Evelyn Stuckey.
Stuckey came to Las Vegas in 1948 to teach physical education at Las Vegas High School. She felt that the young women of the school were missing out on the spirit of camaraderie that male athletes experienced and decided to create a group for girls. This new group was a drill team known as the Rhythmettes. The students were enthusiastic about the new group and many students tried out, but the squad was limited to sixteen girls. Stuckey stressed the importance of education, demanding a 3.0 grade point average from all the Rhythmettes. She claimed membership in the squad would teach grace, self-esteem, and leadership.
The Rhythmettes made their first appearances in 1950 and became popular nationwide soon after. They traveled from coast to coast, making appearances in Hollywood and New York City. Articles about the new group appeared in newspapers and magazines across the country. The girls also got the chance to perform on the Ed Sullivan Show and on the Wide World of Sports. The Rhythmettes acted as goodwill ambassadors for Las Vegas and made appearances in local events like Helldorado Days.
Stuckey succeeded in creating a group for high school girls that instilled self-confidence while offering opportunities to travel the country as representatives of Las Vegas. The Rhythmettes disbanded in 1966 due to Stuckey’s poor health. They were restarted in 1974 and she advised them until 1979. Evelyn Stuckey was named Las Vegas Woman of the Year in 1954 and Nevada Outstanding Citizen in 1964. She taught at Las Vegas High School until her death in 1980.
Stuckey came to Las Vegas in 1948 to teach physical education at Las Vegas High School. She felt that the young women of the school were missing out on the spirit of camaraderie that male athletes experienced and decided to create a group for girls. This new group was a drill team known as the Rhythmettes. The students were enthusiastic about the new group and many students tried out, but the squad was limited to sixteen girls. Stuckey stressed the importance of education, demanding a 3.0 grade point average from all the Rhythmettes. She claimed membership in the squad would teach grace, self-esteem, and leadership.
The Rhythmettes made their first appearances in 1950 and became popular nationwide soon after. They traveled from coast to coast, making appearances in Hollywood and New York City. Articles about the new group appeared in newspapers and magazines across the country. The girls also got the chance to perform on the Ed Sullivan Show and on the Wide World of Sports. The Rhythmettes acted as goodwill ambassadors for Las Vegas and made appearances in local events like Helldorado Days.
Stuckey succeeded in creating a group for high school girls that instilled self-confidence while offering opportunities to travel the country as representatives of Las Vegas. The Rhythmettes disbanded in 1966 due to Stuckey’s poor health. They were restarted in 1974 and she advised them until 1979. Evelyn Stuckey was named Las Vegas Woman of the Year in 1954 and Nevada Outstanding Citizen in 1964. She taught at Las Vegas High School until her death in 1980.
Bibliography
Guide to the Evelyn Stuckey Papers. Nevada Women's Archives. Special Collections and Archives. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Collection # MS-00265.
Guide to the Evelyn Stuckey Photograph Collection. Special Collections and Archives. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Collection # PH-00284. View select materials online.
Collection
Citation
“Evelyn Stuckey,” Makers Teaching Modules, accessed September 28, 2026, https://makersteachingmodules.sites.unlv.edu/items/show/115.