RELAY REPORT: NEVADA (LAS VEGAS) JUNE 11TH, 2026

You never know when or where the tears will come.

Maybe it’s while you’re gathered in community, listening to friends and strangers share stories around a circle. Maybe it’s after the event is over, when you look out at what was previously a pleasant but generic library meeting room, now festooned in lively patriotic decorations, and you realize that this is exactly what the work is all about—making a space where the point isn’t performative agreement, but listening to and learning from each other. 

Or maybe it’s alone in a Michael’s craft store, in the middle of a shopping trip to buy those timely decorations. That’s what Stephanie Valdez offered to the old friends and new who gathered a few weeks before the 250th anniversary of the U.S. to share what living in this country means to them again; A story about why she cried, in Michaels, ostensibly about a pillow but really about America.

Stephanie is a progressive member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormon), raised in conservative spaces but growing more liberal in her politics over the past decade. Like so many people who straddle different socio-political spaces, she’s sometimes struggled to find the spots where she can truly be at home. That’s one of the many reasons why she recently started the Las Vegas Summerlin Bonfire group, the host organization for the Nevada Relay event. She had a hunch that she wasn’t the only one in her community who needed a space where every part of their political and social identities could feel safe and welcome.

The reflection she shared didn’t start with that Michael’s trip. She first shared what the last couple of years have felt like, as somebody who once easily identified with all the trappings of American patriotism. She talked about the shift she felt during the 2024 election, seeing crowds at rallies proudly waving American flags while chanting “U-S-A!” and wondering whether or not those symbols truly belonged to everybody, or if they had been hijacked by a specific political moment that didn’t welcome her or communities for which she card.

What does it mean to love America if you aren’t proud of all of its history? Or if you have misgivings about it in the present tense? When Stephanie first found herself in those red, white and blue craft superstore aisles, those now familiar stirrings initially came back. But then she noticed a simple pillow embroidered with the words, “America the Beautiful.” And just like that, the tears. It came like an epiphany. She did love her country, because patriotism isn’t partisan, and while so much of what’s been going on has been ugly, there is also so much that makes America beautiful.

With the scene set by Stephanie’s vulnerability, the subsequent conversation flowed seamlessly. The nine Nevadans gathered in library conference room chairs shared what brought them to the space, and then reflected on three questions. With each prompt, Stephanie played a complementary song. 

First, of course, was “America the Beautiful.” The Ray Charles version, with the soulful organ, accompanied by a prompt that echoed Stepahnie’s experience in the craft store. What makes America beautiful? Be it people, places, symbols, programs, events, history, or current movements — what do you love about our community, state, and country?

Soon the whiteboard was filled with responses:

– anyone can be an American, it’s home to all, bring what makes you great and build on it, there’s no one way to be an American

– the diversity in people and places, the stunning landscapes, National Parks + Monuments commemorating history, respect for those who came before us

– moments of collective joy, the spirit of creativity and possibility, triumph over sorrows, our resilient spirit and willingness to help our neighbor

Next, came “America,” by Simon and Garfunkel, an equally gorgeous song, but less triumphant. There are two voices in harmony, but they’re hesitant, seeking. This too echoed the theme of the prompt:

What concerns do you have about our community, state, and country?

Another few minutes of writing, and then, once again, a whiteboard filled:

– us vs. them, belonging through cruelty, failure to see the humanity in all people, lack of compassion and empathy, othering, Christian nationalism

– erasing history, unreliable narrators, technology being used for mis/disinformation

– lack of investment in public education, only for the wealthy, turning into idiocracy

– complacency, people getting tired of fighting back

– lack of accountability for people in power, fragility of the rule of law and the constitution

Before asking the final question, being that this was Nevada’s gathering, Stephanie took a moment to point out a few of Nevada’s state symbols and their significance. 

Nevada State Gemstone – The Virgin Valley Black Fire Opal: Indigenous to Nevada and nowhere else in North America. A product of volcanic ash filling an ancient lake 14 million years ago. Over time, heat and pressure formed silica gel that slowly trickled through the ash, filling up the cavities of dead trees in the lake, and eventually forming the Opal.

Nevada State Mammal – Desert Bighorn Sheep: Able to survive extremely bleak conditions for long periods of time, in both intensely hot and bitterly cold environments, and endure losing up to 30% of their total body weight while doing so. Built to outlast their predators.

Nevada State Tree – Bristlecone Pine: Found in the mountains of eastern CA and Great Basin National Park, NV, the oldest trees/life forms on earth, nearly 5,000 years (non-cloning), slow growth rate means the wood is unbelievably dense, acting as an extraordinary barrier to insects, fungi, rot and even erosion. Grows where other plants can’t, in seemingly impossible soil, rocky environments at high elevation, flourish in unbearably cold temperatures, unforgiving winds, and short growing seasons.

After a reflection on how elements of each mirror the cultural pride that Nevadans take in their one of a kind home, the group settled in for one last song, “Home Means Nevada,” written by Bertha Raffetto and sung by April Meservy, and jotted down answers to their final prompt.

Given the current state of affairs, both where we live and in our country as a whole, what do we need to be to each other, as a community? And what do we need from the rest of communities like ours?

This time, the common theme was hope— the fact that the path forward will take work, but also a set of actions that are fully within our grasp.

– offer unreasonable amounts of kindness, empathy, listen to each other, deeply know each other, reach out to others AND reach back, be willing to get uncomfortable, have respectful conversations, compromise, make waves and form bonds, look up at each other and what’s needed in our community, help each other, solidarity

–act as a beacon of hope

– invest in education, know better do better

– recognize there is still GOOD in the world

The evening finished with a group picture, their rapport with each other now easy and gentle. Everybody agreed that this is the kind of space that offers a pathway towards a more perfect union. A space that feels safe. A space that feels honest. A space that feels like home. 

What went in the box?

Stephanie came prepared with the first offering for the box, in the spirit of the final song: A postcard featuring a local artist’s collage drawing with many Nevada state symbols, Las Vegas landmarks and natural features, and the words “Home Means Vegas.” 

The group agreed with that addition, but also wanted to share something that reflected the conversation and experience they had all just shared. A group member suggested the red, white, and blue notecards with their question responses, which was accepted immediately by unanimous affirmation.

And what declarations/commitments did the group make?

This too was an easy decision. Everybody agreed that this space had made them feel less lonely, and felt like a model for how they wanted to show up in their community. It didn’t take long to draft a statement together.

We commit to build community through in-person connection by practicing empathy and seeing the humanity in others, and by engaging in face to face conversations to learn about and understand one another. Beyond red, beyond blue, we’re Nevadans.

With that work done, there was only one task remaining: a group selfie, nine people made up of friends and strangers-turned friends–another community committed to interdependence.