Amanda (Kunzi) Sage, a 2004 graduate of Pahrump Valley High School (PVHS), has built an impressive career in law while maintaining strong ties to her hometown. Her journey from a small-town high school student to a Deputy District Attorney in Reno, Nevada, showcases her dedication, resilience, and commitment to justice.
After graduating from PVHS, Amanda attended the University of Nevada, Reno, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication. Her academic journey continued at Seattle University School of Law, where she earned her law degree. Reflecting on her law school experience, Amanda says, “Just surviving and graduating law school was a huge achievement. Those three years were intense and I was living in a brand-new city away from family and friends.”
Since 2019, Amanda has been working as a Deputy District Attorney at the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office, where she is assigned to the Washoe County Child Advocacy Center. In this role, she is part of a team that prosecutes child sexual abuse cases. “It’s an honor to play my role in making sure kids get justice,” Amanda shares, highlighting the fulfillment she finds in her challenging work.
Amanda’s fond memories of PVHS include homecoming week and the creativity her class exhibited during float-building for the parade. She recalls building an Austin Powers hot tub float during her freshman year and a full-sized SpongeBob SquarePants pineapple house float during her senior year. However, one of her most cherished memories is being part of the 2004 Girls’ State Championship Basketball Team. “The town made us feel like rock stars when we got home and it was so fun to celebrate that achievement with the team, school, and town!” she reminisces.
Amanda’s career journey has been driven by her early fascination with law, inspired by her father, Nye County District Attorney Brian Kunzi. Her passion was cemented in elementary school when she read John Grisham’s “A Time to Kill.” Amanda explored various paths within the legal field, including internships in criminal appellate units and a stint in criminal defense, before refocusing on prosecution upon returning to Nevada in 2014.
Working in the Post-Conviction Unit at the Nevada Attorney General’s Office allowed Amanda to prosecute cases statewide and practice in historic courthouses across rural Nevada. In 2019, she joined the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office, where she has prosecuted everything from DUIs to first-degree murder. Her current focus on child sexual abuse cases has presented some of her most challenging yet rewarding experiences. “Just this year I prosecuted a case involving a child victim whose abuser fled and avoided prosecution for 4 years after she disclosed his abuse. Calling her in 2022 to tell her we found him and had him in custody was amazing,” Amanda recalled. “Even more amazing was sitting with her earlier this year while the jury read out each guilty verdict against him. It’s an honor to play my role in making sure kids like her get justice.”
One of Amanda’s biggest challenges has been learning to compartmentalize her role as a prosecutor with her role as a mother. “At the end of the day, I have to put those work experiences away and remind myself that most people in this world are good,” she says. Amanda strives to teach her children to set boundaries and use their voices confidently.
Amanda married her husband, Bradley, in 2016, and together they have two energetic children. Their daughter, Eliza, is six years old and shares Amanda’s type-A personality. “Currently, Eliza is enthusiastically preparing for a big family vacation, creating detailed packing lists for everyone, including a custom list for her grandparents!” Amanda shared. Their three-year-old son, Everett, is the social butterfly of the family, known for his outgoing nature and love for striking up conversations about Lightning McQueen with anyone willing to listen. Completing their family is Duchess, a loyal dog Amanda adopted as a newborn puppy shortly after returning to Nevada. Duchess remains a constant presence and shadow around the house, pre-dating both Bradley and the children.
Despite the demanding nature of her work, Amanda finds time for hobbies like competitive pinball, which she started playing in 2011. She even held her own in some larger tournaments including a top-20 finish at a world championship. While she doesn’t have as much time for large tournaments, she does still play at home to keep her skills. She also enjoys knitting, creating hats, scarves, and gloves for her family each winter, a skill she picked up after her daughter’s birth. Balancing her professional and personal life is an ongoing effort, but Amanda focuses on being intentional with her time to ensure meaningful interactions with her family.
Looking ahead, Amanda aspires to take on a Chief position at her current office and guide a new generation of public attorneys. She is also actively involved in community service, co-coaching the Reno High School Mock Trial Team, which recently won the 2024 Regional Championship. Through this work, Amanda helps high school students develop confidence, critical thinking, and public speaking skills.
Reflecting on her upbringing in Pahrump, Amanda expresses gratitude for the small-town community that encouraged her to seek out new experiences and grow into a well-rounded adult. “While I didn’t fully appreciate it when I was younger, growing up in a small community was such a blessing in disguise,” she says.
Amanda maintains a strong connection with PVHS, keeping in touch with many of her former classmates and closely following the progress of the women’s athletic teams, particularly basketball. As the 20-year reunion for her class approaches, she is actively involved in the planning and eagerly anticipates returning home to catch up with old friends and relive cherished memories from her high school days.
Amanda advises aspiring lawyers to find a passion within the broad field of law and explore careers that align with it. She emphasizes the importance of setting clear goals before investing in a law degree, suggesting that prospective students should meet with practicing attorneys, engage in internships, and ensure that their chosen path is something they would truly enjoy. By gaining firsthand experience and insight, individuals can make informed decisions about their legal careers.
Amanda Sage’s journey from PVHS to a dedicated prosecutor is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and the support of a close-knit community. Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring attorneys and a reminder of the impact one can make through commitment and dedication.
