November 24, 2025

CARSON CITY, Nev. – The Nevada Department of Education announced on Monday the winners of the 2026 Nevada Reading Week student art contest.

Addison Littlefield, a fourth-grade student at Brown Elementary School in the Washoe County School District, was named the grand prize winner. It’s the first year an elementary school student has taken top honors.

Nevada Reading Week will be held from March 2-6, 2026. This year’s theme is “Book an Adventure.”

“Congratulations to Addison on her well-deserved recognition as the winner of the 2026 Nevada Reading Week student art contest!” said Dr. Victor Wakefield, Superintendent of Public Instruction. “Her artistic ability – one that extends well beyond her years – is evident in her design that reflects the joy of reading that allows us to dream, explore, and discover.”

Kate Littlefield, Addison’s mother, said her daughter is someone who leads with her heart in everything she does.

“Whether she is in the classroom, on the soccer field, or creating art, she is determined to do her very best and never gives up,” Littlefield said. “Her kindness is genuine and constant — she lifts others up, encourages those around her, and shows compassion in every interaction. Her hard work truly shines through. She is sweet, strong, and driven, and we could not be more proud of the incredible young person she is becoming.”

Andria King, Addison’s teacher, describes her student as “a hardworking and focused young lady who always gives her best effort.”

“She is kind, helpful, and dedicated to achieving her goals,” King said. “Addison’s determination and sense of purpose will undoubtedly help her make a positive impact on the world.”

Addison’s design will serve as the official logo for Nevada Reading Week. The logo will be featured on t-shirts, the Nevada Reading Week website, and promotional materials.

T-shirts featuring Addison’s artwork will be available to order beginning today and continuing through Jan. 21, 2026, on the Nevada Reading Week website.

In total, 660 students entered this year’s statewide art contest. Contest participants included students in grades 3-12 who attend district schools, charter schools, private schools, and homeschools.

Student artwork submitted for the contest went through several rounds of judging before winners were selected. The winners were recognized during a virtual award ceremony on Nov. 20.

Art contest honorable mention recipients:

• High school honorable mention: Kevin Mariscal, 10th-grade student at Carson High School (Carson City School District)

• Middle school honorable mention: Audrey Tang, sixth-grade student at Noble Collegiate Academy (private school)

• Elementary honorable mention: Aubreigh Briley, fourth-grade student at Coral Academy of Science – Nellis Campus (State Public Charter School Authority)

Additionally, the Nevada Reading Week committee added a Special Recognition Award this year to showcase the incredible talent of students from across the state.

Students receiving this recognition are:

• Arlett Alcaraz, 11th-grade student at Eldorado High School (Clark County School District)

• Urielle Banayat, eighth-grade student at Fertitta Middle School (Clark County School District)

• Julian Bautista, seventh-grade student at Clayton Middle School (Washoe County School District)

• Giuliana Biondo, seventh-grade student at Doral Academy Red Rock (State Public Charter School Authority)

• Adelyn Ganier, ninth-grade student at Pinecrest Academy Sloan Canyon (State Public Charter School Authority)

• Adriana Garcia, fifth-grade student at Bunker Elementary (Clark County School District)

• Charley Hawkins, fifth-grade student at Pioche Elementary School (Lincoln County School District)

• Marco Louis Lawas, seventh-grade student at Kenny C. Guinn Middle School STEM Academy (Clark County School District)

• Alicia Madrid, eighth-grade student (homeschool)

Since its inception in 1987, the Nevada Department of Education has been at the forefront of promoting literacy and celebrating the joy of reading through its annual Nevada Reading Week initiative.

This statewide endeavor brings together educators, librarians, students, and community members to partake in shared thematic activities aimed at fostering a love for reading.

For the 2026 Nevada Reading Week, participants can look forward to engaging events, including the Author LIVE Event that connected more than 30,000 students with local and nationally recognized authors last year.

For more information about Nevada Reading Week, visit nevadareadingweek.org.

Attachment:

• Artwork from contest winners

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About the Nevada Department of Education

The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) leads and collaborates with Nevada’s 17 school districts and the State Public Charter School Authority to advance educational equity Statewide. With offices in Carson City and Las Vegas, NDE oversees all pre-K-12 education in the State, working to achieve its mission to improve student achievement and educator effectiveness by ensuring opportunities, facilitating learning, and promoting excellence. Under the leadership of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, NDE impacts the achievement of nearly half a million children and 30,000 educators. Learn more at https://doe.nv.gov/ and join us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram.