Author: Amy Veloz

As the Pahrump Valley High School Trojans gear up for another exciting football season, Head Coach Thomas Walker, now in his third season leading the team, shares his insights, expectations, and the spirit driving this year’s squad. Coach Walker, who has been a pivotal figure at the high school for twelve years, aims to build on past successes and foster a winning culture. Coach Walker’s overarching goal for the upcoming season is clear: “Our overall expectations are to have a successful season, meaning seven or more wins and making the playoffs.” With ambitious goals set, Walker emphasizes the importance of…

For the past decade, Jason Odegard has been a cornerstone of Pahrump Valley High School, serving as an Assistant Principal with a deep commitment to fostering academic growth and building a strong school community. With a background rooted in teaching and school administration, Mr. Odegard’s journey to his current role is marked by a passion for education and a dedication to student success. Mr. Odegard began his career in education as a math and science teacher at Rosemary Clarke Middle School (RCMS). His teaching repertoire expanded when he transitioned to Pahrump Valley High School (PVHS), where he taught a variety…

Pahrump Valley High School is proud to introduce Dubb Mapp, who is heading into his second year as Assistant Principal. With a deep commitment to education and a personal journey that fuels his dedication, Mr. Mapp brings a fresh perspective and a heartfelt mission to the school. Reflecting on his path to becoming an educator, Mr. Mapp shared, “I chose to become an educator with the goal of helping students achieve success in school, especially those who, like me, faced challenges.” His own academic struggles and occasional disciplinary issues during his school years were pivotal experiences. “Teachers often spent less…

The Nye County School District is excited to announce the start dates for the 2024-2025 academic year, with different calendars for the four-day and five-day school weeks to accommodate varying day counts. For students in 1st grade through 12th grade, the first day of school is Monday, August 5th, for those on the five-day schedule, and Tuesday, August 6th, for those on the four-day schedule. Kindergarten assessments will take place by appointment from August 5th-9th for the five-day schedule and from August 6th-8th for the four-day schedule. Both schedules will see the first day of Kindergarten on Monday, August 12th,…

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…