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RENO, Nev. (AP) — Gov. Brian Sandoval joined a cafeteria full of students at a Reno elementary school on Thursday to sing Nevada's state song as part of a statewide effort to set a world sing-along record.
The attempt to establish the record for the most people simultaneously singing a U.S. state song came a day before Nevada celebrates 150 years of statehood.
Hundreds gathered at locations from Las Vegas to Carson City and throughout the state at precisely 10 a.m. to belt out their rendition of "Home Means Nevada."
"It brings tears to my eyes every time," Sandoval said after singing the song along with First Lady Kathleen Sandoval and their daughter, Marissa, at Ray Gomm Elementary School.
"I hope the kids know they got to be part of a new world record," he told music teacher Cecilia Higgins.
Organizers of Nevada's Sesquicentennial celebration were urging citizens to help document the record by posting photos and videos at www.Nevada150.org. They don't believe a record currently exists.
The song was written by Bertha Raffetto in 1932. The Nevada Assembly adopted it as the state song on Feb. 2, 1933.
Fourth generation Nevadan Sharon Calvert was among about 60 people who turned out at the Minden library to sing.
"We had to learn the words in grade school," she told The (Gardnerville) Record Courier. "I've taught it to my kids and grandkids."
Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki helped lead the effort at the state Capitol in Carson City, and county workers in Las Vegas gathered to sing at the Clark County Government Center. A number of hotel-casinos throughout the state chimed in. KTVN-TV reports 100 employees sang outside the Atlantis in Reno.
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