Elko County School District students celebrated Nevada Reading Week during the first week of March with activities designed to inspire a lifelong love of reading and storytelling.
Nevada Reading Week began in 1987 as a statewide initiative by the Nevada Department of Education to promote literacy through shared reading experiences and themed activities in schools. The celebration typically coincides with the March 2 birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss.
Throughout the week, schools across Elko County welcomed local celebrities, parents, and community members who volunteered their time to read stories to students and share in the excitement of literacy.
A highlight of this year’s celebration was a visit from author Brad Herzog, hosted by the Elko County Reading Council (ECRC). From March 2–5, Herzog visited several elementary schools across the district, including Northside Elementary, Jackpot Combined, Owyhee Combined, Carlin Combined, Liberty Peak Elementary, Spring Creek Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, Southside Elementary, and Grammar #2 Elementary.
During his visits, Herzog spoke with students about creativity, imagination, and the writing process. He also led interactive storytelling activities where students helped create a story by making choices that changed the direction of the adventure.
“I want to remind schools how important the arts are and motivate students to read, write, and embrace their imagination,” Herzog said. “When we create stories together, I show them they don’t have to be intimidated by writing. Just one small detail can send a story down a completely different path of imagination and adventure.”
Herzog also shared how his own elementary school experience shaped his career as a writer.
“My bestselling book H Is for Home Run is dedicated to my fourth-grade teacher because he sparked my love for creative writing,” Herzog said. “I never forgot that moment. I’m still in touch with him, and that was when I first realized how much fun writing could be.”
The Elko County Reading Council expressed appreciation to Elko County School District for supporting the author visit, as well as the participating schools and the Mountain View PTA for their assistance. Additional thanks were extended to The Star Hotel for providing dinner and the Ramada by Wyndham Elko Hotel at Stockmen’s Casino for hosting Herzog during his stay. Staff at Southside Elementary School also welcomed him with a potluck lunch during the week.
Events like these help inspire curiosity, creativity, and a love of reading among students across the district.
Student Moment: Young Author Meets Visiting Writer
One memorable moment from Brad Herzog’s visit happened at Mountain View Elementary School when a student named Luke eagerly approached the author after the presentation.
Luke shared that he had written his own book and was excited to show it to Herzog. After speaking to students about creativity and storytelling, Herzog took a few moments to look at Luke’s work and encourage him to continue writing.
Moments like these highlight the impact author visits can have on students—sparking confidence, creativity, and a passion for storytelling.
To learn more about the Elko County Reading Council, visit: https://www.elkocountyreadingcouncil.com/