Carson City woman is Cherry Blossom Princess

Springtime in Washington, D.C,. means cherry blossoms and the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, where "princesses" by long tradition represent their states in the Cherry Blossom parade and other events.

Nevada's Cherry Blossom princess this year is Carson City native Pierron Tackes, 21, a student at George Washington University and an intern for Sen. Harry Reid working on environmental issues.

Pierron will be graduating in May with a bachelor's degree in environmental studies, with a public health minor. She aspires to gain a law degree and a master's degree in public health to eventually pursue a career in environmental public health.

Back home, Pierron said she enjoys summer hikes on the Tahoe Rim Trail and attending the annual Reno rodeo.

She was selected by members of the Nevada State Society based on her academic record, community involvement and an essay about growing up in Nevada.  The society is the organization of Nevadans who live and work in the nation's capital.