Author: Amy Veloz
Bob Hopkins, the seasoned girls’ golf coach at Pahrump Valley High School (PVHS), has a rich and extensive coaching career that spans decades and multiple states. His journey in coaching began in 1980 at Bennett County High School in Martin, South Dakota, where he coached both boys’ and girls’ golf. “We were a high school of about 180 students, and we had anywhere from 25 to 40 kids come out for golf,” Hopkins recalled. His early success was marked by winning the state B championship for girls’ golf in 1984, 1985, and 1986, followed by a state championship in boys’…
Alina Veloz, the Salutatorian of Pahrump Valley High School’s Class of 2024, has demonstrated exceptional dedication and perseverance throughout her high school years. Her journey, marked by a rigorous academic schedule and active participation in extracurricular activities, showcases her commitment to excellence both inside and outside the classroom. Reflecting on her academic path, Alina shared, “My academic journey through high school has been a long one. I started freshman year in a hybrid schedule due to COVID, which was a learning curve as I had to figure out how to manage my time properly while staying active.” This initial challenge…
The Nye County School District (NCSD) Transportation Department is excited to announce a significant enhancement to its student bus tracking system. The new platform, “StopFinder,” will replace the “Here Comes the Bus” app, providing parents and guardians with real-time information about their child’s bus route, including estimated arrival times and notifications of any delays. The upgraded app will be available a few weeks after the school year begins. “This upgrade reflects our commitment to providing families with the most convenient and reliable tools for tracking their child’s transportation,” said Michael Hush, NCSD Transportation Director. “We look forward to sharing more…
Maury Cook, the new Dean of PVHS, brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to his role. A veteran educator with 34 years in the field, Mr. Cook has served as a teacher, counselor, administrator, and coach. His journey in education has been driven by the challenge of learning, improving, and seeking new adventures. Now, he is eager to contribute to the success of PVHS. “My goal is to work with the bright, dedicated, and student-centered administrators and staff here at PVHS to ensure that every student is a success,” Mr. Cook explains. He plans to achieve this by being…
The Pahrump Valley High School boys’ soccer team is gearing up for an exciting season with a fresh face at the helm. Andrew Norton, the new head coach, brings a wealth of experience and a passion for the game that promises to inspire both players and the community. This marks Norton’s first year as head coach, but his journey in soccer and coaching spans decades and regions, ensuring a dynamic and knowledgeable approach to the team’s development. Growing up with soccer from the age of five, Norton played competitively until his mid-30s when persistent knee injuries forced him to hang…
The Pahrump High School Girls’ Soccer Team is poised for an exciting season under the leadership of their head coach, Amy Carlson. With a passion for coaching that spans over two decades, Coach Carlson brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the field. “I have been coaching youth sports since I was 16 years old. It started as a way to volunteer in the community in an area (athletics) that I enjoyed, and has turned into a true passion,” she shares. Her journey began with coaching baseball, softball, basketball, and soccer, eventually leading to the formation of the Pahrump…
Lilli Custard, a bright and spirited second grader, recently earned the prestigious title of Miss Nevada Elementary America 2nd Grade 2024. Winning this title over Labor Day weekend of 2023, Lilli not only showcased her exceptional poise and talent but also clinched the best interview award in the state pageant. Reflecting on her victory, Lilli shared, “I felt really excited and I couldn’t wait to see who was going to be called next.” One key element that made Lilli’s interview stand out was her lively personality and the heartfelt story about her international pen pal from Indonesia. “They asked me…
Dedicated Champion of Educational Excellence Laura Weir, who has been serving as the Assistant Superintendent for the past two years, has a rich and diverse background in education, driven by a passion for working with children and a love for continuous learning. Her love of children began when she got her first job as a teenager working at a children’s play place and a daycare center. There, she discovered her true calling as an educator. After graduating from UNLV in 2000, Laura began her teaching career in the Clark County School District (CCSD) at the same school where she completed…
After an impressive 30-year tenure with the Nye County School District, Janelle Veloz retired on June 17, 2024. Janelle and her family moved to Pahrump in 1970, when Janelle was nine years old. Janelle started her 4th grade year at the only Pahrump elementary school there was (Manse K-8). At PVHS, Janelle participated in Track and Field, Volleyball (the first year this sport was available was her Sophomore year) and Basketball. In the premier year for Volleyball, the team won the Class A State Championship. Janelle finished first in zone and second at state in discus her Senior year. The…
With only three seasons under their belt, the Pahrump Valley MTB club has seen successful establishment and growth under the dedicated leadership of Coach Andrew Norton. This initiative brings an exciting and challenging sport to the students of Pahrump, providing them with opportunities for physical endurance, personal growth, and strong community bonds. The inaugural season of the mountain biking club began in the 2021-2022 school year. Despite a modest start with only five riders, the team faced numerous challenges such as bike quality, late registration, and first-year uncertainties. Coach Norton, new to coaching mountain biking, reflects on the initial struggles,…