As the sun set over Pahrump Valley High School on Friday, May 29, families, friends, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate one of life’s biggest milestones as the Class of 2026 officially crossed the stage and turned their tassels during commencement ceremonies.
The evening marked the culmination of four years of academics, activities, athletics, service and memories for the 271 graduates who made up the Class of 2026, while also recognizing the student leaders who helped shape their senior year and school community. As families filled the stands and gathered along the field, the ceremony celebrated not only academic achievement but the relationships, experiences and milestones that defined each student’s high school journey.
Principal Desiree L. Veloz welcomed attendees and graduates to the ceremony, opening the evening with remarks before graduates made their formal processional entrance.
Serving as emcees for the evening were Student Body President Gloria Walker and Senior Class President Marayah Waller, two student leaders who represented their classmates throughout the year and helped guide the ceremony’s program.
The ceremony featured a traditional lineup of graduation events designed to reflect both celebration and reflection. Following the processional, Hailey Dobson performed the National Anthem on trumpet before the audience settled in for remarks and recognition of the graduating class.
Everyone then heard from the class’s top academic leaders through speeches delivered by Valedictorian Timmy Stutzman and Salutatorian Naomi Schott. Their addresses continued a long-standing graduation tradition of recognizing the students who achieved the highest levels of academic success while also offering reflections, encouragement and final words to their classmates as they prepared to begin the next chapter of their lives.
The evening’s guest speaker was Mike Abbiss, who addressed graduates as they prepared to move into the next chapter of their lives.
Diplomas were then issued by Principal Veloz, assisted by readers Whitney Hoffman and Charlena Bailey as each graduate had the opportunity to walk across the stage and officially become a Pahrump Valley High School alumnus.
One of the ceremony’s most symbolic moments came during the turning of the tassels, led by Principal Veloz, signifying the transition from student to graduate and marking the official close of the Class of 2026’s high school journey.
As graduates celebrated with classmates, posed for photos and embraced family members after the ceremony concluded, the evening served as both a celebration of accomplishments and the beginning of what comes next.
For the Class of 2026, graduation night represented more than receiving a diploma — it marked the closing of one chapter and the beginning of countless new opportunities ahead.
*More photos available at pvcnphotos.com.
