The Soranaka family of Henderson won the first-ever countywide Mojave Max Emergence Contest, correctly guessing within hours of when the beloved desert tortoise would emerge from hibernation.

The Clark County Desert Conservation Program announced the winner Sunday at Springs Preserve, marking the culmination of an expanded contest that celebrated 25 years of the Mojave Max Education Program.

For a quarter-century, the annual contest had been limited to elementary school students in Clark County. This year, organizers opened participation to all county residents for the first time, drawing more than 1,500 entries.

The Soranakas — Jeffrey, Amber and their four children, Paige, 16; Parker, 12; Paxten, 9; and Paetyn, 5 — submitted their winning guess after learning about the contest during a presentation to their homeschool group in the Inspirada community.

Their family entry predicted Mojave Max would emerge at 12:33 p.m. May 8. The actual emergence occurred at 2:09 p.m. May 8, making their guess accurate within about 90 minutes.

The announcement ceremony took place Sunday, with the Mojave Max team, the program’s mascot, and Princess Moana from Las Vegas Character Parties present for the celebration.

The family won prizes from multiple sponsors, including a character visit from Las Vegas Character Parties, a premium family membership to Springs Preserve, museum tickets and gift bags from the Venetian and personalized Mojave Max merchandise.

Mojave Max serves as the official mascot of the Clark County Desert Conservation Program and lives at Springs Preserve in Las Vegas. Like other reptiles native to Southern Nevada, the desert tortoise enters a burrow each winter for brumation, the reptilian equivalent of hibernation, before emerging each spring.

For 25 years, Mojave Max’s annual emergence has served as a natural indicator of the arrival of consistent spring weather in Clark County. The timing of this biological event has become a cherished tradition for local residents and educators alike.

The elementary school portion of the contest, which continues the program’s original format, had its winner, fourth-grader Joana A., announced May 21 at Elaine Wynn Elementary School.

The Desert Conservation Program uses the annual contest as an educational tool to teach residents about local wildlife and the natural cycles that govern desert ecosystems. The expanded format this year allowed families throughout Clark County to participate in the longstanding tradition while learning about the important role desert tortoises play in the region’s ecology.