A First Amendment tour of Carson City

This is the second in a three-part series of winning essays from the Carson City School Board-sponsored American Essay contest. The three winners received a $250 U.S. savings bond.

By David Charles

Special to the Appeal

Let's take a First Amendment tour of Carson City. Cruising down Highway 395, you will be welcomed by a plaque that lists all of the clubs and churches in Carson City. This public display is an expression of the freedom in Carson City to assemble and to practice your religious freedom.

Drive further along Carson Street, and look to the right again, and you will see a big hill with a "C" on it. Of course, that is the hill we call "C" Hill. "C" Hill is a symbol of all of the freedoms we enjoy. And above the C is an American flag lying peacefully and reminding us of what we have.

In the center of town, you will see our state Capitol. The tree in front of the state Capitol is an evergreen tree that is turned into a giant Christmas tree during the holidays. The fact that we are able to gather and celebrate this, expresses our freedom of assembly and religion.

Next door to the state Capitol is Nevada's legislature building. Sometimes people show their freedom to petition by expressing their opinions over government decisions when they hold up petition signs.

On Carson Street, every year on Oct. 31, Carson City has a parade called the Nevada Day Parade to celebrate Nevada's statehood. The fact that this parade can occur and can be enjoyed by so many different people gathered at one time again expresses Carson City's freedom to assemble and enjoy free speech. If you missed all the fun at the Nevada Day Parade, it's OK, just get a copy of the local newspaper, the Nevada Appeal. The Nevada Appeal publishes a list of all the parade participants. The Nevada Appeal is Carson City's voice and expression of the freedom of press.

After exciting events like the Nevada Day Parade, residents and visitors can sit back and relax while watching the local TV program CAT 10, and express freedom of speech as the community expresses itself without worry.

Well, that completes the tour. I hope you liked it and could understand how well Carson City expresses the First Amendment.

-- David Charles is an eighth-grader at Carson Middle School.