The Pahrump Valley High School Student Council is a powerhouse of student leadership, working behind the scenes to create memorable events and advocate for the needs of the student body. Through detailed planning, collaboration, and a commitment to fostering school spirit, the council not only brings students together but also shapes the overall culture of the school. This year’s Homecoming, marked by a vibrant 1970s theme, is a prime example of how much the council impacts student life. But beyond Homecoming, their work touches many aspects of school life, from organizing events to communicating student concerns to administration. Here’s a closer look at how the council operates, the challenges they face, and the profound sense of community they build.
Collaborative Efforts and Homecoming Success
From the first day of school, the Pahrump Valley High School Student Council starts planning one of the most significant events of the year: Homecoming. Angelina Valdez, the Student Body President, explained how the council jumps right into action, ensuring that the event doesn’t overlap with other major school activities. “We start out with the date, planning around sports. We make sure there’s no away games or other events that could conflict. We start planning themes right away,” she said. The themes, which the council narrows down and then puts to a vote for the entire student body, are designed to engage everyone, from athletes to clubs to the entire student body in general.
This year’s theme was especially significant, reflecting the school’s 50th anniversary. “It started in 1974, and the theme was the ‘70s. I liked that it incorporated the school’s background, and it was something that more people could relate to,” Angelina shared. The council’s creativity shone through, with elaborate posters, hallway decorations, and even custom-painted stairs, an idea Angelina borrowed from Rancho High School. “I was scared of it at first, but it actually came out really well. The stairs definitely caught people’s eyes,” she said, proudly describing the way the school looked leading up to the big event.
Other members of the council also spoke to the teamwork that went into making Homecoming a success. Gloria Walker, a junior class representative, described the process of splitting tasks between different members. “We split it into parts, like who’s in charge of food, walls, indoor and outdoor decorations, etc. Everyone had a position, and when someone was done, they helped others,” she said. This sense of collaboration extended beyond just the council, as they enlisted the help of students not directly involved with council work. “We pulled through and got other clubs and some of our friends to help as well,” Gloria added.
Melianna Ayala, a freshman, expressed pride in how smoothly Homecoming went, even with the long hours involved. “I was at the school the other day for 17 hours helping with the walls, but it’s worth it when you see all your peers happy,” she said. This dedication is a hallmark of the council’s approach—whether it’s painting posters or organizing Spirit Week, the council puts in countless hours to ensure everything runs smoothly. And it’s no easy task, as Melianna noted that “sleep is probably the most challenging part.”
One of the most popular Spirit Week events was Pajama Day, which, according to Melianna, “was definitely the most participated in.” Another hit was BBQ Dad vs. Soccer Mom Day, which saw creative costumes from both students and teachers. “One of the teachers told me she had beer bellies so big the kids couldn’t sit in their desks!” Mr. Williams added.
Sarah Miller, a freshman class representative, provided insight into the council’s effort to make younger students feel more involved. Her role as a representative for freshmen means she gets to voice their concerns and ideas during council meetings. Sarah played a major role in Homecoming decorations, especially her involvement in creating a “drive-in movie theater” theme for the freshmen’s wall. “I was put in charge of the wall, and we all collaborated to make it work,” she said. Despite some minor logistical challenges, such as ensuring everyone could meet after school hours, she was proud of the outcome. “What I really loved seeing was the freshmen finding their names on the wall. It felt great to see them interact with it.”
She also spoke about her focus on encouraging more freshmen to get involved in school activities. “I’ve noticed that a lot of freshmen don’t really know about all the clubs and activities available, so I make sure to bring that up in meetings. It’s important to get them engaged early.”
Sarah’s voice in Student Council helps bridge the gap between the new and returning students, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to participate and feel connected to the school community.
Meanwhile, Julie Briggs, a junior, reflected on her first year in Student Council. Julie joined because she wanted to be more involved in school activities and help organize events. “I really enjoy the setup before a big event. It’s hectic but fun because we’re all working together,” she shared. During Homecoming, she was in charge of the junior class’s food-themed wall, which had a retro 70s diner aesthetic. Julie explained that designing the posters was one of the most creative parts of her experience. “We had to do a lot of research on the 70s, and we made sure our wall had that diner vibe,” she said.
Julie also noted how much being in Student Council has helped her grow. “I’ve met so many new people, and it’s pushed me to get out of my comfort zone. It’s made high school more fun and rewarding,” she said.
Overcoming Challenges and Leadership Development
While Homecoming was a resounding success, it wasn’t without its challenges. Angelina Valdez spoke candidly about the long hours and the occasional hiccups in the process. “There was an instance where someone didn’t actually do any of their posters, and it was two days before poster hang-up. A few of us, including myself, stayed late to finish everything. I stayed until about 11 p.m., and others were there until 1 a.m.,” she shared. Yet, despite these difficulties, Angelina believes the hard work brought the team closer. “We don’t get much vocal or physical appreciation from other people, but together, we appreciate each other for what we do. It feels like a family,” she said.
This sentiment of council being a second family was echoed by several members. Gloria Walker, who is in her second year in the council, described it as a “home away from home.” For Jordan Onigkeit, the senior class secretary, student council has been a way to grow as a person and make connections. “I think interacting with others, getting to know them, and knowing how to work well with different kinds of people has been my favorite part,” she said. Jordan only joined student council this year after being encouraged by her friends Michael Keyes and James Dela Rosa, but she immediately found it rewarding. “It’s definitely stressful at times, but after all the stress passes, you look back and think, ‘Wow, we did that.’ It’s a really good feeling,” she added.
Michael Keyes, the Student Body Vice President, acknowledged that time management is one of the biggest hurdles student council members face, especially as many are involved in sports and other extracurricular activities. “It’s really hard to balance everything, but you get used to it,” he said. Michael, who has been in the council since freshman year, also spoke about the challenges of teaching underclassmen how to run student council, ensuring that when the seniors leave, the council continues to function smoothly. “Freshman and sophomore year were about learning how to work with others. Now, it’s about teaching the younger ones how to keep it going,” he explained.
One of the ways the council encourages student body engagement and addresses student concerns is through the RSVP (Raising Student Voices and Participation) program. “We go into the social studies classrooms and ask students what they would like to see changed in the school. We take that feedback, compile it, and send it to admin,” Angelina explained. Michael added that the program has been challenging to get off the ground because of timing issues, but is essential for creating real change at the school. “We’ve been trying to get more student input for a few years, and we’re hoping this year we can really get it going,” he said.
Community and Legacy
Beyond planning events like Homecoming, the Student Council plays a vital role in fostering school pride and ensuring students feel connected to the school. The council introduced new initiatives like Mascot Mondays, where the school mascot greets students with compliments as they enter the school, and First Fridays, a monthly themed activity designed to boost student morale. “For December, we’re planning a de-stress exam month, where we’ll give out mints or have students write down what they want to de-stress about,” Angelina said.
One of the council’s biggest responsibilities is also planning major events like prom and graduation. Julie admitted that she’s nervous about taking on prom planning, but feels confident after the success of Homecoming. “I think we’ll have it down. We did really well with Homecoming, so if we all put our minds together, we can do prom, too,” she said. Gloria also expressed some anxiety about prom, noting that the junior class is small and many students are involved in sports, making scheduling tricky. “We’re already fundraising for prom, and I’m worried about how we’re going to execute it, but I think we’ll pull through,” she said.
As seniors, Angelina Valdez, Michael Keyes, and James Dela Rosa are already looking ahead to graduation, which they are tasked with planning. “Each event is a fundraiser for the next one. The Aloha dance is a fundraiser for Sadie Hawkins’, Sadie’s is a fundraiser for Prom and Prom is a fundraiser for Graduation,” Michael explained. Graduation, for these seniors, is not just about celebrating their own achievements but ensuring the event is special for the entire class. “It’s definitely interesting planning your own graduation. You want it to be memorable, but it’s also a lot of pressure,” Michael added. James, the student body secretary, echoed the sentiment. “It’s like being a chef and tasting your own dish—you want it to come out perfect because you put so much into it,” he said.
A Family Atmosphere
The sense of family that Angelina, Gloria, Michael, and the others described is not just a metaphor. Student Council advisor Mr. Robin Williams, who has led the council for 13 years, emphasized the importance of creating a safe, supportive environment for students. “Some of these kids are dealing with things at home that are unimaginable. They come here because it feels safer than going home,” he said. Mr. Williams also spoke about how the council is able to do things for the school that administration often can’t, such as recognizing teachers and making personalized efforts to show appreciation. “We can raise and spend our own money, which means we can do things like staff recognition that make people feel appreciated,” he explained.
Mr. Williams is particularly proud of how this year’s Homecoming turned out, calling it “one of the best we’ve ever done.” He praised the students for their dedication and creativity, especially in the face of challenges like balancing sports, school, and council responsibilities. “We had so much positive feedback from students and teachers this year. They really knocked it out of the park with their decorations, and the effort was noticed,” he said.
Looking ahead, Mr. Williams is optimistic about the future of the Student Council. “Every year I think about stepping down, but then I meet another group of freshmen who are amazing, and I decide to stick around,” he said with a laugh. For him, it’s not just about the events or the decorations—it’s about watching the students grow into leaders. “You can’t stop them from failing altogether, but you want to make sure when they hit the ground, they don’t shatter. That’s what I’m here for.”
Through their work, the Student Council leaves an enduring impact on Pahrump Valley High School. From planning school-wide events to advocating for students’ needs, they shape the culture and spirit of the school in ways that extend beyond Homecoming week. As Angelina, Michael, Jordan, James, and the rest of the seniors prepare to pass the torch to the next generation, they leave behind a legacy of hard work and dedication, while also carrying with them the family they’ve built through their time in Student Council—a family of choice that will stay with them long after they’ve moved on.
