Mariah Prunchak, a 2018 graduate of Pahrump Valley High School, reflects on her high school years with warmth, humor, and an appreciation for the moments that shaped who she is today. While she humbly admits she wasn’t the most athletic or academic student, her time at PVHS was full of social connection, creative expression, and the kind of memories that stick with you for a lifetime.
“I wasn’t blessed with the sporty or super smarty genes in high school,” she said with a laugh. “At the time, I would’ve rather put my efforts into things that required thought through art rather than academics.” One of her favorite classes was ceramics, taught by Mrs. Lisa Kelly-Funk—a teacher who left a lasting impression. “Still today, I think she is one of the coolest, most real and down-to-earth people I’ve met. She was a great role model to a young Mariah and many others, I’m sure.”
Mariah describes herself as a social butterfly during her high school years. “If talking your ear off was a subject, I’d get an A+,” she joked. Making friends came naturally, and she thrived in the in-between moments—cheering at games, enjoying sleepovers, gaining the independence of a driver’s license, and soaking up summertime freedom. “Thankfully, I had a pleasant high school experience, and it was all the extra moments outside of school that created everlasting memories.”
Even after graduation, she remained connected to PVHS through her younger brothers, who were active in sports. “They’ve now graduated and moved on, as we all do,” she said. These days, she keeps up with school happenings mostly through social media and enjoys staying in touch with a few of her favorite former teachers online.
Her closest ties to her high school years, though, are the friendships that have only grown stronger with time. “Today and every day, I’m blessed to still be close with my high school best friends—shout out to Sydney Dennis, Annabelle Brophy, Alyvia Briscoe, and Vaniah Vitto!” Their lives have taken different paths—some are married or engaged, some are corporate professionals, others are full-time parents—but they continue to show up for one another. “As corny as it may sound, these ladies are the loves of my life. I’d be nothing without my women friendships. They are hard to come by and very special.”
After high school, Mariah enrolled in college and completed a two-year degree, though she found herself unsure of her next steps. “I quickly realized I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life—don’t we all?” she said. That’s when her aunt, a respected figure in land development, offered her a chance to join her team. It was a simple, entry-level role, but it turned out to be the foundation of her professional journey.
Today, Mariah is a Project Coordinator at Westwood Professional Services, a civil engineering firm in Las Vegas. She recently celebrated her six-year work anniversary, having steadily worked her way up from the bottom of the totem pole to a leadership role. “Last year, I was promoted to my current title, which was very exciting. It’s a rewarding feeling to be trusted at work and know you are appreciated.”
Her work environment is one that prioritizes collaboration over competition, which has been key to her growth. But she acknowledges that working in a male-dominated field, especially as a young woman, hasn’t always been easy. “It can be frightening to speak up when the majority of your coworkers are much older and mostly male. It’s taken time to learn that my knowledge and voice matter, too. The scariest things always end up being the most satisfying to overcome.”
Mariah credits much of her success and confidence to the support of her family. “My parents have provided for me in ways I could never repay,” she said. She also points to her Aunt Chelsea, the very person who gave her the opportunity to enter the civil engineering world, as a professional role model. “She created the processing team that still stands at our company today. If I’m half the boss lady she is, I’ll be a happy gal.”
Beyond her career, her Grandma Frances has played a profound role in shaping her character. “I walk down a fierce path as a woman who stands for all good in the world,” she said. “I’ve been taught how to use my voice for myself, but more importantly, for others who need someone to be their voice.”
Mariah also gives back to the community in a meaningful way. For the past two years, she has volunteered with the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada, serving as a camp counselor for kids undergoing cancer treatment or those affected by it. The camp takes place at YMCA Camp Whittle in Big Bear, California, and it’s a week that Mariah looks forward to every year. “To know you are making a difference for these kids is an indescribable heartwarming feeling. I will never stop providing a week of my life so that they can have the best time of theirs.” Her father, who has volunteered with the organization for a decade, was the one who introduced her to the experience.
Outside of work and volunteering, Mariah enjoys the simple pleasures of life: relaxing at home, catching up with friends over drinks, traveling both internationally and regionally, and recharging her mental battery with quality time by the pool or on lazy Sundays. She’s a proud cat mom to two kitties she adopted during the peak of COVID and finds that road trips and vacations are essential to staying grounded. “It’s healthy to get out of your everyday bubble and explore what else the world has to offer.”
Balancing work and life isn’t always easy, but Mariah makes a conscious effort to separate the two. “Sometimes it feels good to work those extra hours and prove yourself, but there comes a point when you have to ask, ‘Am I putting in that extra time for my well-being, too?’”
Looking ahead, her goals remain rooted in personal and professional growth. She plans to continue building her career, eventually own a home, and maybe start a family someday. For now, she’s excited about friends’ weddings, planned vacations, and embracing whatever life brings next. “Celebrating one another’s wins in life is magical, and I’m grateful to share those happy moments.”
Mariah’s story is a testament to finding success through openness, community, and heart. “A reminder to us all (and myself) is that growth and success are not linear,” she said. “We are all on our own journey, and each of our experiences are unique. There are no rights and no wrongs to the paths we take, as long as they lead us to the place we want to be in the end.”
