NV150 Essay Contest

Lennox Purinton, 7th Grade, Ely Learning Bridge, Ely ‘ALL FOR OUR COUNTRY’ By Lennox Purinton Nevada’s motto, “All for our Country”, has always been on the state seal, but no one knows its origin. Nevada became a state during the Civil War and right before the presidential election in 1864. On July 4, 1864 the Constitutional Convention met in Carson City (Carson City is now Nevada’s Capitol, where the Governor resides and the State Legislature meets) a year after the... Read More

Vanessa Hernandez, 8th Grade, Swainston Middle School, North Las Vegas Nevada State Motto-“All for Our Country” “All for Our Country” is Nevada’s unique motto expressing that they would do anything to serve their country. Nevada became a state, which lead to the development of this specific motto, using this motto there are ways in which we can improve our states and help make our world a better place. “All for Our Country” has been symbolizing Nevada ever since it became... Read More

Tristan Graney, 11th Grade, Nevada Learning Academy, Las Vegas “The Eyes of Service” His eyes are a prideful road map of a state’s rich history, twinkling in the sunlight and filled with decade’s worth of memories and wonder about a place he loves dearly. At 80 years old, Fred Miller defines America and its sense of nationalistic values. He sat there one humid fall morning, at the Veterans’ Memorial Park in Boulder City, Nevada, a man who served his country... Read More

Christina Henney, 11th Grade, Shadow Ridge High School, Las Vegas All for Our Country The Nevada state motto “All for Our Country” in a nutshell means we support the country no matter what. The motto goes way back to February 24, 1866 just after the Civil War in which Nevada legislature met to change it from the original motto “Willing and Able.” The motto comes just after the Civil War finished showing Nevada’s desire to support a strong Federal Union.... Read More

Victoria Maged, 11th Grade, Bishop Manogue Catholic High School, Reno All for Our Country Many people like to say that Nevada is a small state with not a lot of activities for them to pursue. However, others stand strong with Nevada because “Home means Nevada to [us]” and it is “The loveliest place [we] know” as stated in the state song. The inhabitants of this state are proud to be able to live in a place filled with beautiful animals,... Read More

Alex Frazier, 5th Grade, The Meadows School All for Our Country Nevada’s old motto “Willing and Able” was officially replaced on February 24, 1866 by the new motto “All for Our Country.” The motto “All for Our Country” means that Nevada would give all its allegiance to the United States of America, which means we will give all our devotion to our country. Nevada became the thirty-sixth state to show support and loyalty to the Union and President Lincoln during... Read More

Talia Schonfeld, 5th Grade, The Meadows School Nevada earned the motto “All for Our Country” on February 24, 1866. On that date, the Nevada Legislature officially changed the Nevada State motto from “Volens et Potens” which meant “Willing and Able” to “All for Our Country”. The motto appears on the bottom of the Nevada State seal on a yellow banner surrounded by thirty-six stars which represent Nevada as the thirty-sixth state to join the Union. Although there is no historical... Read More

Name: Adrian Alberto School: Advanced Technologies Academy Nevada Statehood Despite being rushed into statehood with minimal population, Nevada’s statehood  was both legal according to the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 and extremely beneficial to the goals of the Union during the Civil War. Controversy surrounds the lack of population required for statehood and rushed pursuit of statehood. However, neither of those completely detracted from the legality of Nevada’s statehood. Besides a loophole in the ordinance, Nevada provided both the resources needed... Read More

Name: Felicia Manha School: Coral Academy of Science Nevada for Statehood Many people  have different views of why Nevada became a state. Most  believe  it became  a state because of its riches in gold and silver mining were needed to win the Civil War. This in fact is not the case of Nevad2’s statehood. Nevada was a very important territory to make a state. Considering the circumstances  at the time, Nevada’s statehood was vital. Most important to me is that... Read More

Name: Parker Johnson School: Advanced Technologies Academy Acceptance and the Union: Nevada’s Entrance into Statehood When Nevada was admitted into the United States in1864, many doubts were raised over the legitimacy of its claim to statehood.  Although it did not meet many of the obligations listed under the Northwest  Ordinance of 1787, the Constitution  did not have any true requirements for statehood.  Additionally, although it was used, controversially, to help Abraham Lincoln in the presidential election, all of the requirements... Read More

Name: Ainsley Hickenbottom School: St.Teresa of Avila Catholic School The addition of Nevada as a state changed the nation in several important ways. First, the addition of Nevada to the nation played a deciding role in the Civil War. Nevada was originally created as a federal territory in 1861so that its wealth from silver discovered in the Comstock Lode could be used to finance the Union’s effort to defeat the South in the Civil War. Nevada became a state in... Read More

Name: Jordan Nyitrai School: Southern Highlands Preparatory School On October 31, 1864, Nevada became the 36th state of the United States of America. Nevada is called the “battle-born state” because it became a state during the American Civil War. It is also called the “silver state” because in 1859, the first major discovery of silver was found in Nevada and made it very wealthy. Nevada becoming a state is important in U.S. history because it changed the nation by helping... Read More

Name: Alexis Humphrey School: St. Teresa of Avila Catholic School In my opinion, the most significant thing that Nevada has done since becoming a state in 1864 is the continuation of the mining industry.  Mining is what brought people here to this state.  As population grew, President Abraham Lincoln declared Nevada as a state on October 31, 1864. Not only does Nevada produce gold and silver, but it also produces lead, copper, zinc, mercury, tungsten and iron.  With all of... Read More

Name: Kiera Hickenbottom School: St. Teresa of Avila Catholic School When people think of Nevada, people think of gambling.  The legalization of gambling is the most significant thing, in my opinion, that Nevada has done since becoming a state in 1864. Gambling was a big part of Nevada’s culture even before statehood.  In 1931, the Nevada Legislature made gambling legal because a lot of illegal gambling and corruption was occurring in the state.  Gambling is important to Nevada for several... Read More

Name: Olivia Butcher School: Lake Mead Christian Academy The  Significance of Nevada The most significant thing that has happened in Nevada since 1864 was the completion  of Hoover (Boulder) Dam in 1936.   This was important for three reasons.   First, it brought jobs during a very difficult time.   Second, it provided water and electricity to Nevada, Arizona, and California.   Third, it helped the population  of these states to grow quickly. When the dam was built, the United States was in a... Read More