Pahrump Valley High School (PVHS) graduate Royce Avena has built a life marked by perseverance, resilience, and a deep connection to his community. Now an electrician and business owner, Royce’s journey reflects the power of second chances and the importance of hard work.
At PVHS, Royce was an active student involved in various extracurricular activities, particularly sports. He played basketball in his junior and senior years and was a key member of the golf team. One of his fondest memories was the awe he felt when he and his basketball teammates played at the Lawlor Events Center, a significant venue for a small-town athlete like him. “It was overwhelming,” he recalls.
Royce also played an instrumental role in forming the school’s first official soccer team. Before its recognition as a high school sport, soccer was only a club activity. With support from coaches Christie and Don Bolden, Royce and his teammates paved the way for the program’s establishment. His high school sports career also included being part of a state championship golf team, an achievement that remains close to his heart.
One memorable experience from Royce’s high school years occurred during a pep assembly, where he was tricked into participating in a blindfolded banana-eating contest. The moment, filled with laughter and camaraderie, reflected the joy and humor he found throughout his high school experience.
Sports played a pivotal role in Royce’s development. Basketball, soccer, and golf taught him teamwork, leadership, and hard work. Despite balancing school, sports, and significant responsibilities at home, Royce excelled in athletics and formed lifelong friendships. “I didn’t miss a lot of school because I had to work when I was at home,” he shares, explaining how school provided a break from his duties.
Royce managed to maintain excellent attendance, viewing school and sports as an outlet from his daily routine. His work ethic, developed early from contributing to his household, translated into his commitment to his teams and schoolwork, even though academics sometimes took a backseat to athletics.
After graduating, Royce entered the workforce, joining the Carpenters Union in Las Vegas, working on projects like Mandalay Bay. When work slowed down, he returned to Pahrump and pivoted to electrical work, eventually becoming the owner and managing member of his own electrical business. This transition was marked by challenges, but Royce’s determination and willingness to adapt led him to success.
Royce’s career in the trades has been filled with learning and growth. One defining moment was when an electrician fired him, only to rehire him later, giving Royce a second chance to prove himself. “I didn’t know anything,” Royce admits, but his determination to learn paid off, allowing him to eventually start his own business.
Family is a cornerstone of Royce’s life. He and his wife, Stephanie, have built a strong partnership centered on their shared commitment to community service. They have raised their children, Andrew, Jacob, Logan, Dylan and Matthew, with the same values of hard work, integrity, and dedication that have guided Royce throughout his life. His children, who work alongside him in his electrical business, are learning firsthand the importance of perseverance and the rewards of building something from the ground up. Royce credits his wife as a key influence in his life, “She doesn’t give herself enough credit. She’s been the rock in my life, always pushing me to be better and to give back. A lot of what we’ve accomplished as a family and in the community is because of her dedication and heart.”
While Royce’s professional path had its ups and downs, including a difficult divorce and a few different careers when the market wasn’t suitable to maintain his business, he never let adversity define him. “You just own up to stuff, do your thing, and move forward,” he says, emphasizing the importance of not letting one decision define your future. His belief in second chances and his mantra that “one decision doesn’t define who you are forever” has been a guiding principle in his life.
Royce’s commitment to his community goes beyond his professional work. He is actively involved in community service, often alongside his wife, Stephanie, whom he credits as a major influence. From organizing back-to-school drives to participating in holiday toy drives, Royce is always ready to help. “If something needs to be done, you just do it,” he says, reflecting his strong sense of responsibility to his community.
Looking back, Royce acknowledges that his journey wasn’t always easy, but every challenge presented an opportunity to grow. His advice to others is simple: “Don’t quit. It’s difficult, but it’s worth it.” Whether running a business, coaching youth sports, or supporting his family, Royce embodies resilience and the belief that hard work can overcome any obstacle.
As Royce continues to build his legacy in Pahrump, he remains committed to integrity and service. His story is a powerful reminder that life is not defined by a single moment but by the continuous effort to improve and move forward. Royce’s life stands as a testament to second chances and the power of determination in shaping a meaningful future.
