Nevada State Bank has launched a “Beautiful Nevada” essay contest asking the state’s students to answer “What Makes Nevada Beautiful to You?” The contest began Monday,  Dec. 9, the bank’s 54th anniversary. It ends Jan. 31, 2014. A total of $30,000 will beawarded to Nevada’s public schools.

The essay contest is open to all Nevada public school students from kindergarten to 12th grade. The essay should be no more than 500 words and answer the question, “What Makes Nevada Beautiful to You?”

Additional information and the entry packet can be found on the bank’s website atwww.nsbank.com/BeautifulNV. Winners will be chosen from school districts throughout the state (three in north, three in south) based on a grade-level breakdown of kindergarten through 5th grade, 6th grade through 8th grade, and 9th grade through 12th grade.

Winners from each part of the state will receive an iPad, and each winner’s school will receive $5,000.