2013 Radon Poster Contest Winners Announced

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension’s Radon Education Program is proud to announce the winners of the 2013 Nevada Radon Poster Contest.

Ivory Tuyet Nguyen Rok, an 8^th grade student at Mendive Middle School in Sparks, is the 1^st place winner, with her poster, “Night of the Living Radon.” Ivory wins the $80 prize, and her teacher, Julie Steiner, wins the $100 prize award for classroom supplies.

Dante Gonzalez, a 5^th grader at Kirk L. Adams Elementary in Las Vegas, is the 2^nd place winner, with his poster, “The Detector Saves Another Family from Radon.” Dante wins the $60 prize, and his teacher, Nicole Carter, will receive $75 for classroom supplies.

The 3^rd place winner is Carolena McGrapth, a 7^th grader from Pine Middle School in Reno, with her poster, “Ignorance Isn’t Bliss.” Carolena wins $40, and her teacher, Laura Dale, wins $50 in classroom supplies.

The 4^th place winner is Brianna Solis, a 5^th grader at Kirk L. Adams Elementary, with her poster, “Caution.” She wins a $20 prize award.

There was a tie for fifth place, with Favion Williams, an 8^th grader at Cowan Academic Center in Las Vegas, and Michael Connors, an 8^th grader at Mendive Middle School. A $20 prize will be awarded for Favion’s poster, “Get Tested for Radon Before It’s Too Late,” and Michael’s poster, “The Dangers of Radon.”

A special awards ceremony for Reno area students and teachers will take place at the end of the radon presentation on Jan. 3, at 6 p.m., at the Washoe County Cooperative Extension building, 4955 Energy Way. Pierron Tackes, a representative of the Office of Governor Brian Sandoval will also be in attendance and will present certificates from Gov. Sandoval to the contest winners. She will also present a proclamation declaring January as National Radon Action Month.

The Las Vegas Awards Ceremony will be held Jan. 16, at 4:30 p.m., at the Lifelong Learning Center, 8050 Paradise Rd. The winners will receive their participation certificates, as well as the governor’s certificate, and award checks. The winning teachers will also receive their award checks at the ceremony.

This is the fourth year that the Nevada Radon Education Program has participated in the Radon Poster Contest that is open to children, ages 9 to 14. The goal of the contest is to raise awareness of the harmful effects of elevated levels of indoor radon gas in homes.