It’s your turn: What would you tell a student about life in Nevada?

By Matt Hufman

Friday, March 16, 2012 | 2:03 a.m.

Dear reader,

Last month, a fifth-grader in Washington state wrote a letter to the editor, which her teacher sent to the Sun. The student, Makayla S., is doing a research project about Nevada, and she’s asking for help:

“I don’t know much about Nevada and I don’t have a lot of items. All I have is a poster and a piece of paper with a lot of facts on it! Anything would help. If you could send anything to me, I would really appreciate it — especially like a mini state flag!”

We corresponded with her teacher to ask about the assignment, and she said there’s a written report to teach persuasive writing and then there is a “state fair,” in which the students show off pictures, flags and whatever else they collect about the state. The teacher writes:

“The state report is extensive. Students cover between 10 and 12 topics in written form, including notes, rough and final drafts (approximately 90-100 pages of written work). They also paint the bird, flower and tree of their state, draw a physical map and a products map, chart the weather, make a construction paper flag. It is quite a large undertaking. ...

“Items students have received range from food produced in their state, professional sports’ team gear, postcards, flags, the state quarter, CDs of local music, books, certificates from the state House of Representatives or Legislature. It is truly incredible what people will generously send. We have even had painted coconuts arrive addressed to students sent with no wrapping, just the coconuts. Amazing!!”

I’ve never made a practice of passing these things on, but this one intrigued me because it gets to the heart of what we think about our state. So I’ve been asking friends and colleagues what they would tell a fifth-grader in another state about Nevada and what they would send. It has been interesting to hear what people think is important about Nevada and what they would share with a child in another state.

What would you say? What should she know? What would you send her?

In the next couple of weeks, I’ll be putting a package in the mail to Makayla. I’d love to have your thoughts and comments to include with it. And I hope to publish some of your thoughts in the next few months as part of a discussion about life in Nevada.

You can send an email to [email protected] but be sure to put Nevada in the subject line. You can also post a comment below. And if you feel moved to send something appropriate, send it to my attention at the Sun — 2360 Corporate Circle, Third Floor, Henderson NV 89074 — and we’ll get it to her.

Best,

Matt

Matt Hufman is assistant managing editor/opinion.