Nevada State Bank sponsors essay contest for school kids

Is it the neon glitz of the Las Vegas Strip or the snow-clad peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountain range?

Perhaps it’s the sheer visual splendor of Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in the United States.

Whatever it may be, the right response could win six Silver State schools $5,000 each while six students take home an iPad Mini for keeps.

The question is simple enough — “What Makes Nevada Beautiful to You?”

It’s a contest sponsored by Nevada State Bank, where students are asked to write an essay expounding on the state’s most eye-pleasing features.

The contest which began earlier this month will accept submissions through Jan. 31, 2014.

A total of $30,000 will be given to the winning schools.

Winners will be chosen from school districts throughout the state based on a grade-level breakdown of kindergarten through 5th grade, 6th grade through 8th grade, and 9th grade through 12th grade with three selected in north and three in south.

Sandi Milton, senior VP of marketing communications for Nevada State Bank, said the contest coincides with a special milestone for both the bank and the state itself.

“With the bank’s 54th anniversary, and the approaching Nevada sesquicentennial, it’s the ideal time to really reflect on what our state offers and the many ways people, especially our children, find beauty in Nevada. The contest is open to all Nevada public school students from kindergarten to 12th grade. The essay should be no more than 500 words and answer the question, ‘What Makes Nevada Beautiful to You?’ she said.

Milton also said Nevada State Bank believes in the importance of education and the difference it makes in the community while the bank continually strives to volunteer and invest in the future of the state’s children.

“We’re proud to provide an opportunity for students to show their Nevada pride and to provide their own insight into the beauty of Nevada. The perspective of children is always enlightening.” Milton said.

Official contest rules apply.

Visit www.nsbank.com/BeautifulNV for complete information about the contest, including downloadable entry forms, and other materials.