Students to choose next Nevada medallion

Jordan Dickens, 8, would like to see a bighorn sheep on the third medallion pressed in honor of the state’s 150th birthday this year.

“I know a lot of information about them,” he said. “They can grasp on with their hoofs.”

He may get his wish once the votes are tallied from across the state in a contest hosted by the Nevada Sesquicentennial Commission in which elementary school children will choose the design for the medallion.

All Nevada students can vote for either an individual element or a combined group of elements that they would like to see represented on the third of four medallions in the Sesquicentennial series. The design will then be developed from the element or group of three elements receiving the most votes. Each tally sheet received by the lieutenant governor’s office will be entered in a drawing. The winning class will receive a copper medallion stamped with the winning design for each student and teacher in the class.

“I am so excited for all the elementary-age students in Nevada to get involved in our state’s birthday party by helping choose the design for our third Sesquicentennial medallion,” said Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, Nevada 150 chairman. “One of the best things I get to do as lieutenant governor and chairman of the commission is find ways for students to personally participate in this historic year.”

The students in Nancy Varner’s second-grade class at Bordewich Bray Elementary School participated this week.

“It’s good for them to learn about Nevada and why it’s special,” Varner said. “We’re trying to help the kids understand that it’s the 150th birthday of Nevada.”

Jazmine Wagner, 7, selected the Prehistoric Nevada group, featuring a bristlecone pine, Ichthyosaur and desert tortoise.

“I wanted to learn more about them because I think they will be interesting,” she said.

Lila Downs, 7, cast her vote for the Early Heritage element, with a petroglyph, tule duck decoy and basket.

“I’m part-Indian, and I like all that stuff,” she said. “The Indians lived in part of Nevada.”

For Varner’s class, however, Sign-up For Nevada — featuring the Welcome to Las Vegas sign, Reno Arch and Wendover Will — came out victorious.

Londyn Engels, 7, was one of 11 in her class to vote for it.

“I like the shape of the signs and how they look,” she said. “They’re sparkly.”

Votes must be submitted to Krolicki’s office by Wednesday.

For more information, call Linda Frederick at 775-684-7111.

Sales of the commemorative medallions will help fund the Nevada 150 events. For more information about Nevada 150, visit www.nevada150.org.