2024 AWARDS
Winners
2024 SPIRIT OF NEVADA AWARDS WINNERS
APAT (4) na nagwagi sa high school student ang napili bilang pinakamahusay na entries sa tema ng taon. Ang bawat mananalo ay makakatanggap ng $1,000 at isang iPad. Ang guro ng bawat nanalong estudyante ay makakatanggap ng $500 na Amazon Gift Card.
APAT (4) na nagwagi sa middle school student ang napili bilang pinakamahusay na mga entry sa tema ng taon. Ang bawat mananalo ay makakatanggap ng $1,000 at isang iPad. Ang guro ng bawat nanalong estudyante ay makakatanggap ng $500 na Amazon Gift Card.
APAT (4) na nagwagi sa elementarya ang napili bilang pinakamahusay na art entries sa tema ng taon. Ang bawat mananalo ay makakatanggap ng $1,000 at isang iPad. Ang guro ng bawat nanalong estudyante ay makakatanggap ng $500 na Amazon Gift Card.
Mga Nagwagi sa High School
Park
Cavanaugh
Hong
Henne
The great ghost of the silver rush
I never believed in ghosts at least, I never wanted to until that fateful night. The faint sound of ‘Au fond du temple saint’ played as I walked closer to the stage, the music growing louder. I couldn’t believe it. A sudden gust of wind brushed past me, and I quickly turned, startled. I stumbled backward, my heart racing as fear overwhelmed me. Shutting my eyes tightly, I prayed it was just a dream. When I finally opened them, I was met with a sight that sent shivers down my spine a transparent figure stood, gazing at the singer with admiration. I scrambled to my feet, keeping my distance. As I looked around, the once-empty opera house was suddenly alive, transformed into a full house. Men and women were elegantly dressed in the grand gowns and suits of the 19th century. The atmosphere became more vibrant as the opera ‘Die Csárdásfürstin’ unfolded. Applause and laughter echoed through the hall, and little groups of people exchanged smiles. I felt a strange warmth. Was this the spirit of the silver rush era? I couldn’t help but smile, caught up in the charm of the moment. But then, a loud gunshot shattered the peace. Panic ran through me. I spun around in search of the source and spotted a man wearing a bandit’s mask, leaning nonchalantly against an empty seat. He was a very sophisticated man, yet his presence was unnerving. Fear gripped me, and I ran, bursting out of the opera house into a dusky dawn.
But the world outside wasn’t what I expected. The ground beneath my feet wasn’t old cement it was dirt. The buildings were different. Was this still Pioche? No, it was Pioche, just… a different time. A group of miners walked straight through me, sending a chill through my body. I could even smell the residue of their hard labor. Turning to watch them, I noticed people strolling down the streets, laughing and chatting. The bandit suddenly darted out of the opera house, and I instinctively followed, though my movements felt sluggish. The sun warmed the scene, and the town buzzed with life. Was this the golden age of the silver rush? I wandered aimlessly, marveling at the bustling stores and the beautiful ladies in their finest attire. Eventually, I stepped into an old saloon, its swinging doors creaking as I entered. The air was filled with the sound of boisterous laughter and the clinking of glasses. My nerves were on edge, but a strange excitement pulsed through me. A group of bandits walked past, and among them was the masked man from the opera house. He carried a bag, and I watched as he began negotiating with someone over pieces of silver. Curiosity got the better of me, and I crept closer. Could he be a hitman? The thought crossed my mind, though I quickly dismissed it. After all, this was the 19th century anything was possible. As the deal went on, I managed to grab a piece of silver, examining it with fascination. I decided to keep it as a small prize and turned to leave, eager to step back into the warmth of the day. But when I stepped outside, it wasn’t dawn anymore. The streets were bathed in the pale light of a full moon. The town was now very silent. Suddenly, I heard the distinct sound of hooves two pairs, approaching from opposite directions.
Two men, dressed in full Western attire, dismounted their horses and faced each other. Was I about to witness a duel? Though I couldn’t make out their words, I could sense the tension in the air. The men greeted each other, then turned their backs, walking away to mark their paces. My grip on the silver tightened as my anticipation grew. Step by step, they moved farther apart. At the 75-yard mark, they turned, and “Bang!”
The sound jolted me awake. I sat up quickly, cold sweat dripping down my face. I was back on the broken floor of the abandoned opera house. My head pounded, and I reached back, feeling the tender spot where I must have hit it. Looking down at my hand, I slowly opened it. There, resting in my palm, was the piece of silver I had taken. A smile was across my face as I wondered was it all just a dream? Or had I truly glimpsed the life and spirit of the great silver rush? Who knows? Perhaps we’ll never truly understand the echoes of the past.
Mga Nagwagi sa Middle School
Choi
Choi
Minnalez
Luck
Taking a train to nevada
The broad desert I see
I think I like nevada
But there’s no green
I came here to get lucky
Silver is what i’ll find
I going to work in the mines
I get to go use some dinomite
Blowing up rock
I like what I do
It’s hot in the summer
A crack of sun pours in from above
I like to see the sun
But I want summer to be done
The air is turning crisp and the mine is getting cold
I don’t think my arm works anymore
I think I’m getting old
I work day and night
There’s nothing new to do
I came here to get lucky
That just what ill do
Its winter now and boy is it freezing
The mine is cold and damp
Not a feeling ill get use to
Nevada’s winters not so bad
I’m used to the rain and snow
Oh my winter last year feels like ages ago
It’s spring now
it’s getting warmer
My friend elvis is giving me a smolder
I’m most definitely getting older
Summers coming again
I’ve still got no silver
The desert dust is blowing in the mine
Ohh gee it got in my eye
I came here to get lucky
Don’t know if i will
Fall is coming again quick
Losing hope now
I want to go home
I want some warm soup
And maybe some bread too
Winters here again
Same boring days
Should I just go home
I gave up today
Spring is here again
Going back to my house in the summer
The train is calling my name
Guess getting lucky is hard thing to do
And silvers what i’m wanting
Summers beautiful
I never realized
The sun is brighter than ever on my blue little eyes
I found some silver
I’m going home
I came her to get Lucky
That’s just what I did
Sigua
The Queen of the Silver Camps
“Grandpa, do you ever think about those days?” Ella asked, “When Tonopah was the ‘Queen of the Silver Camps’?”
Her grandfather chuckled, remembering past memories. “Oh, those were special times. People came from everywhere, chasing silver and their dreams.” He looked at the old, rusty mining tools behind them. “Some found what they were looking for, and some didn’t. But everyone left a piece of their story here.”
Ella nodded, taking it all in. Her grandfather had spent years in the mines as a young man, and though he never struck it rich, he had a deep respect for the miners who had come before him. Standing on this land where history had shaped so much, Ella felt the significance of it all.
“I think it’s time to bring that history back,” Ella said, her voice determined. “I’ve been talking to some people around town about a tour. Something that shows tourists and locals the wonders of the Silver Trails, not just the mining, but the land, the people, the whole story.”
Her grandfather raised an eyebrow. “A tour, huh? You think people’ll come?”
“I know they will,” Ella replied with confidence.
“Well, if you’re serious, you’ll need some help.”
The next day Ella met up with Mr Hawkins the local historian.
Mr. Hawkins leaned back in his chair, his hands folded across his chest. “A tour, huh? You’re really serious about this.”
“I am. I want people to understand how Tonopah became what it is, how the silver changed everything. And I think the town could use something like this. It could bring in new visitors, help businesses, and most importantly, it’s about honoring the past.”
After a long pause, Mr. Hawkin nodded. “Alright, I’ll help. But we’re not just talking about the mines, are we? You want the full picture”
Samantha grinned. “Yes. We’ll talk about the miners, the challenges, the legends. But also about the land itself, how beautiful it is.”
“Well,” Mr. Hawkins said, “there’s a lot to say about those old ghost towns, they’re practically frozen in time. I’ve got old photographs, and documents. There’s a rich story in every inch of this land. I can show you where to go, what to talk about. We’ll make this something special.”
A month later, the first official “Silver Trails Heritage Tour” was ready. Ella stood at the starting point in the heart of Tonopah. Locals and tourists gathered around Ella, curious to see what this girl had put together. “Welcome, everyone,” Ella began. “Today, we’re stepping back in time to when Tonopah earned its title as the ‘Queen of the Silver Camps.’ But this isn’t just about silver, it’s about people, perseverance, and a land that shaped their dreams.”
Their first stop was the Tonopah Historic Mining Park. The group walked through the rugged landscape with mining structures and equipment preserved from the early 1900s.
“Imagine,” she said, pointing out, “This place used to be full of life and hard work. Back in 1900, a man named Jim Butler found silver here after his mule wandered off. That small discovery turned into one of the biggest silver strikes in the West, and in just a few years, Tonopah was making millions of dollars from silver and gold.”
Mr. Hawkins held up an old photo of miners with a cart of ore. “These men worked long hours underground with only a candlelight. The mines weren’t just about money, they kept the town alive,” he said.
As the tour moved on, Ella took the group to nearby ghost towns along the Silver Trails. They stopped in Belmont, where old, crumbling buildings and the courthouse remained as reminders of the past. Mr. Hawkins explained how the town’s quick success faded when the mines ran out.
Ella said, “Belmont isn’t just a ghost town, it’s like a time capsule. Walking these streets, you can almost hear the sounds of the past.”
The last stop was a scenic view of the Nevada desert, where the sunset painted the sky in gold. Ella looked out at the group and said, “This land is more than silver. It’s about strength, community, and beauty. I hope you’ve felt what makes Tonopah so special.”
The group applauded, many taking photos, others thanking Ella for such a heartfelt journey. As they began to walk off, Mr. Hawkins clapped Ella on the shoulder.
“You did good, kid,” he said with a proud smile.
“This is just the beginning,” Ella chuckled.
Mga Nagwagi sa elementarya
Gaspar
Rodriguez
Yu
Limon