Author: Amy Veloz
The Pahrump Valley High School Cross Country team had an outstanding performance at the 44th Mt. Carmel Invitational on Saturday, September 21, 2024, held at Balboa Park in San Diego. The event presented a challenging course filled with steep hills and difficult terrain, but the Trojans rose to the occasion, showing both individual excellence and strong teamwork. Eight boys represented PVHS, and despite the difficulty of the course, they worked together to achieve impressive finishes. Leading the way was Antonio Veloz, who finished 40th overall out of 154 runners, earning himself a medal. Head Coach Erik Odegard praised Veloz’s performance,…
Nearly seven years have passed since the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting, yet for Breana Koch, Denise Stout, and Sharlee Rogers, the event still casts a long shadow over their lives. As the anniversary of the October 1, 2017, tragedy approaches, the three survivors reflect on that night, how they’ve coped since, and the community bonds they’ve formed in the aftermath. Breana was just 15 when she attended the festival with her mother, Denise, and their friends and extended family, excited to see Jason Aldean perform. “We were just standing there, waiting for Jason,” Breana recalled. “When the shooting started,…
The Rosemary Clarke Middle School (RCMS) Sharks Cross Country team delivered impressive performances at the CSN Invitational, held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Floyd Lamb Park. Competing against strong fields of over 100 runners in both the boys’ and girls’ races, the Sharks showcased their resilience and continued improvement throughout the season. Rylan Bliss once again demonstrated her excellence by finishing 2nd among 108 female runners, securing another medal for the season. Bliss continues to shave seconds off her average mile time, knocking another second off in this race. Head Coach Ben Veloz praised her consistency, saying, “Rylan is…
Charleston Peak Winery, located at 3810 Winery Rd., is embracing a new chapter under fresh ownership, but with deep respect for its rich history in Pahrump. The newly appointed General Manager, Jenn Sela Bowen, and Assistant General Manager, Andy Keselburg, have taken the reins to breathe new life into the property while preserving the legacy that made the winery a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike. Backed by owner Ernest Moody, the visionary behind Action Gaming and a longtime supporter of the Las Vegas community, Charleston Peak Winery is poised to blend the best of the old with exciting…
This past weekend, from September 19-22, Pahrump once again celebrated its rich history and community spirit with the Annual Fall Festival. Originally launched on September 5, 1964, as the Harvest Festival, the event began as a small gathering where local farmers celebrated the valley’s cotton and alfalfa harvest. Cars and horses lined up at the edge of town to sell goods and mark the start of the autumn season with a barbecue. Today, the Fall Festival has grown into one of Pahrump’s largest and most highly anticipated annual events. Hosted by the Town of Pahrump, the festival brings together thousands…
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…
Andrew James, the founder of Industrial Light and Power, is a dedicated professional whose journey into the electrical field and electrical engineering was strongly influenced by his upbringing and work experience. His father, an aerospace electrical engineer, played a significant role in sparking Andrew’s early interest in the field. Raised around the concepts of electrical theory and applications, Andrew developed a natural curiosity for how things worked electrically. He officially entered the electrical sector during his time in New York City, where he gained hands-on experience working for an electrical contractor and earned his journeyman card. From those foundational experiences,…
The Junior Trojans wrestling program, led by Benji and Crystal De Santiago, has been making strides in providing a structured and supportive environment for young wrestlers in Pahrump. What began as a small family activity has quickly grown into a community club with a focus on nurturing discipline, hard work, and a passion for the sport. Benji and Crystal De Santiago first launched the program in November 2023, after realizing that despite wrestling’s popularity in the town, there were no youth opportunities for the sport. “Wrestling is a big sport in this town,” Benji explained. “There was nothing for the…
Jamie (Schaffer) Schneider, a proud alumna of Pahrump Valley High School (PVHS), has built a thriving career in massage therapy while maintaining strong ties to her high school and community. A 2002 graduate, Jamie has fond memories of her time at PVHS, where she was heavily involved in the school’s music program and developed lifelong friendships. Jamie’s time at PVHS was marked by her passion for music and involvement in the band. “One of my fondest memories from high school was making the Allstate Band my junior year,” Jamie recalls. She played the trumpet and was actively engaged in various…
Local junior Emalee Bolling took home top honors at the annual Pahrump Fall Festival’s Food and Art competition, impressing both judges and attendees with her stunning dragon-themed cake and mouthwatering apple pie-filled cupcakes. The aspiring baker, currently a student at Pahrump Valley High School, has big plans for the future, and her recent success is just the beginning. Emalee’s dragon cake, which won first place in the age division for its remarkable appearance, was a visual masterpiece that stood out from the competition. “I wanted to challenge myself, so I made a dragon out of modeling chocolate,” she explained. “I…