Bordewich-Bray students celebrate state's heritage

When Norma Darrough's grandmother died 20 years ago, so did the family's art of basket weaving.

Then, four years ago, Darrough joined the Great Basin Native Basket Weavers. After the first time, Darrough was hooked.

"That was it," she said. "I've been weaving ever since."

Now the vice chairwoman of the group, she sells baskets and has won several awards for her work.

But that is not enough. She is working to keep the tradition alive in her family and share her culture with others.

She and her great-niece, Alicia Singleton, 8, joined with about a dozen other presenters Thursday at Bordewich-Bray's annual Nevada Day Celebration.

Singleton, a third-grader at the school, was eager to demonstrate her weaving skills to her classmates.

"My grandma showed me how," she explained. "It inspires me to show other kids how to weave."

This is the 10th year the school has dedicated a day to exploring Nevada's past, its cultures and current events.

"It's such a unique experience for kids growing up in Nevada, especially for kids going to Bordewich-Bray," said Melissa Van Peursem, a teacher who led the committee organizing the celebration. "It's an enriching experience for them. It shows the students there's more to Nevada Day than a parade."

For the fifth year, students were able to try their hand at panning for gold.

"Oh, I got a big one," exclaimed Ryan Van Patten, 6, separating a gold nugget from the sand and murky water. "It's gold. Yay!"

Reno Bell, a gold panning demonstrator, visits schools near his home in Coloma, Calif., adding Carson City to his route as well.

"I love coming here. It's a hoot," he said. "I show them the hardships they would go through, and I show them what they could buy with an ounce of gold."

The temperatures cooperated for his hands-on lesson.

"The cold water really adds to the authenticity."

The Nevada State Railroad Museum set up a short track and took the kids for a ride on an old-time hand car.

"They used it to go 4 or 5 miles to go to the train to fix it with tools," learned Gabby Crain, 8.

The integrity of the day was preserved as students dressed in outfits representing the Silver State.

Makenna Abel, 6, wore a purple neckerchief over a purple plaid dress, capped off with a blue cowboy hat.

She added a plastic silver ring with a large pink jewel in the center as an accessory after winning it during a round of Nevada Bingo.

"I love the outfit," she said.