Minden school claims second consecutive win in Free Fishing Day Poster Contest

There must be something in the water at Pinon Hills Elementary.

For the second consecutive year, a student from the Minden school has been selected as the winner of the Free Fishing Day Poster Contest sponsored by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). This time the winning entry was turned in by fourth grader Demi Bera. The 2008 contest was won by then Pinon Hills fourth grader Kiersten Boyd.

"I'm not sure why our school has won two years in a row," said Debbie Davis, Bera's fourth grade teacher at Pinon Hills Elementary. "I love the contest because our Social Studies focus in fourth grade is learning about Nevada, and the fishing poster fits in well with our curriculum, so we encourage our kids to enter, be creative, be colorful, and we go over the directions and tell the kids to be sure to follow the directions as that's an important part of the process too."

Bera's picture of two people enjoying a day out fishing from a boat will be featured on the 2009 poster promoting Free Fishing Day in Nevada and will also be on the 2010 Fishing Seasons and Regulations magazine. As the winner, she will receive a framed copy of her artwork and a fishing rod and reel. She and her family will also be treated to a guided fishing trip on a lake or river in northern Nevada once school is out for the summer.

Bera said that her favorite part of fishing is "casting and then catching a fish."

More than 300 fourth and fifth graders from around the state put crayons, markers and colored pencils to paper to vie for the honor of illustrating the 2009 Free Fishing Day Poster. This year's theme was "Fishing for Memories." The contest has been gaining in popularity in recent years, almost doubling last year's total of 164.

Free Fishing Day takes place on Saturday, June 13 this year. The statewide event allows anglers to fish in any public fishing water in the state without a fishing license or trout stamp, while all limits and other regulations apply. Visit www.ndow.org to find out more about Free Fishing Day events taking place locally.

Runners up in the contest were Jacob Cole, a fifth grader from Verdi Elementary, and Alex Akre, a fifth grader from the Coral Academy of Science in Reno. Both will receive a fishing rod and reel for their efforts. Their artwork will also be featured on next year's back cover of NDOW's Fishing Regulations publication.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW's wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen's license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license.