MVHS students, pictured l to r Dallin Watkins, Ema Cook, Kalene Gongos and John Rockenbach sit on the floor of the Nevada State Assembly during a trip to Carson City hosted by Assemblyman Cresent Hardy.

By Vernon Robison

Moapa Valley Progress

A group of four Moapa Valley High School students were invited by Nevada Assemblyman Cresent Hardy to come to Carson City and see the State Legislature in action. The students; which included MVHS juniors Ema Cook, Kalene Gongos, John Rockenbach, and Dallin Watkins and accompanied by MVHS Government teacher Charlie Cooper; drove up to the state capital on Tuesday, May 24.

The group stayed in Carson City for four days, with room and food being paid for by Assemblyman Cresent Hardy. Hardy also hosted four students from Virgin Valley High School to visit as well.

While there the students toured the state government buildings and met elected officials.

“I feel like it is important to give kids an idea of what really goes on up here in the State government,” said Cresent Hardy in an interview with the Progress. “I know that they are taught all this stuff in school. But when you see, first hand, how it really works it’s a lot different than learning about it in the classroom. It gives a different perspective of what happens up here.”

The fact that the students visited during some of the closing days of the session made the experience all the more valuable, Hardy said.

During their visit, the students met with Cresent Hardy, State Senator Joe Hardy, and other legislative leaders at the State Capitol. They sat in on a financial committee hearing, toured the State Senate Hall, and spent a couple of hours on the floor of the State Assembly listening to debate.

“My favorite part of the trip was getting an insider’s look at the inner workings of the State government,” said John Rockenbach one of the students selected to go on the trip. “It was fascinating to observe the politicians at work in the committee meetings and on the Assembly floor.”

The students also took a tour of the Nevada Supreme Court building and met Chief Justice Michael Douglas.

A visit to the Nevada Department of Transportation headquarters followed where the students were instructed on the processes required to build roads and highways and were given a tour of the NDOT lab.

During the trip, the students met with Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez-Masto who spoke to them about her job duties and responbilities. She also spoke to them about the importance of cautious cell phone use and related the legal problems involved with “sexting” and other issues that are of special concern among Nevada’s youth.

“Meeting Mrs. Masto was a really cool experience!” said MVHS student Ema Cook. “She is incredible and awesome!”

The students spent an hour meeting with Governor Brian Sandoval. They talked with him about issues in education and how to better fund educational programs. They also discussed possible changes in how proficiency scores are reported and recorded. The Governor asked the students for input on the ideas being proposed.

To round out the trip, students toured Virginia City and also took a sight-seeing adventure to Lake Tahoe where they experienced cold temperatures and found snow still on the ground .

“It was a really neat experience,” said MVHS teacher Charlie Cooper. “I am 42 years old and have never had the chance to go to the State Capital and see all of its workings. I can only imagine how it was for the kids. We are extremely grateful to Assemblyman Hardy for hosting us in this experience.”