In a project that blends skill-building, creativity, and community service, students in Pahrump Valley High School’s Building Construction classes are putting the finishing touches on 250 handmade wooden toys for the preschool program at Mt. Charleston Elementary School. Under the guidance of teacher Doug Nelson—who is completing his first semester at PVHS after 27 years teaching in Clark County—the students have spent several weeks preparing gifts that will be delivered just in time for the holiday season.
Nelson, who previously taught at Desert Rose High School, said the idea was inspired by a tradition he carried out for years. “We’d make several hundred toys and take them down to the women’s shelter at Christmastime,” he said. “It worked out great. It’s good for the kids. They learn all the skills they need, and it’s doing a service for others.” When he arrived at PVHS this year he wanted to do something similar. The recipient chosen were the preschool kids at Mt. Charleston Elementary.
The students are building pull toys—each one requiring four wheels—which means the classes have been busy crafting an incredible 1,000 wheels on top of the toy bodies themselves. “We’ve been working on it for a couple of weeks, and then we got serious about a week ago,” Nelson said. “A thousand wheels for 250 toys—that’s a lot.”
Both Building Construction I and II classes are working together, with each student choosing whether to build their own unique project or contribute directly to the pull toys. Either way, every class period picks up where the last one left off, creating a steady rhythm of teamwork as students cut, sand, assemble, and paint toys. Some students have taken on artistic roles, painting wagons and decorating pieces, while others focus on construction.
Beyond the preschool toys, the students also repurposed leftover birdhouses from last year into festive gingerbread houses, which they plan to sell to recoup some supply costs. “You can see one right there,” Nelson said, gesturing toward a brightly decorated model in the shop room. “They turned out really cool.”
The classes include a mix of sophomores, juniors, and seniors—160 students total, which Nelson joked is more than he has ever taught at once. “Every single desk is full except for one,” he laughed. “It’s a whole new adventure for me.” With so many students, daily progress is constant, and each student earns part of their semester exam grade based on hands-on work in combination with a written or Chromebook-based portion. Nelson credits his paraprofessional for helping the program run smoothly and keeping an eye on the bustling shop.
The toys are expected to be delivered next week, once scheduling is finalized with administration of the two schools. Nelson is hoping to arrange for district vans to transport the toys, and in an unexpected twist, he may be arriving in costume.
“She wanted me to be Santa,” he said with a laugh, referencing Mrs. Veloz, the high school principal. Though he never pictured himself in the role, Nelson is going along with it for the kids. After meeting a Santa Claus at a recent PDOP breakfast, he managed to borrow a full suit for the occasion. “They’re expensive,” he said. “Like $750 for the new ones, plus the boots, the bell, the hat—the whole thing.” He’ll be wearing the borrowed suit to a meeting with administrators to give them a preview.
As the final wheels are attached and the last coats of paint dry, Nelson’s classroom is filled not just with sawdust and tools, but with pride and purpose. What began as a simple shop project has become a meaningful holiday tradition in the making—one that teaches skills, encourages teamwork, and brings joy far beyond the walls of PVHS.
Next week, when 250 preschoolers pull their handmade toys across the classroom floor, they’ll be holding a piece of hard work, generosity, and Trojan spirit—delivered by a Santa whose boots might be borrowed, but whose heart is fully in it.
