The gymnasium at Pahrump Valley High School was filled with pride and applause on the evening of Wednesday, May 28, as families, educators, and students gathered for the Senior Awards Night to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2025. The evening kicked off with the pledge of Allegiance by senior Abigail Alberto Amador, followed by opening remarks from Principal Mrs. Desiree Veloz. Her message set a tone of recognition and encouragement, reflecting on the achievements of the graduating class.
Mrs. Veloz then passed the microphone to Assistant Principal Mr. Jason Odegard, who introduced the presentation of athletic scholarships. Bryan Wulfenstein joined him on behalf of Double M Construction and the Wulfenstein Family Scholarship, to honor student-athletes who excelled both on the field and in the classroom. The Scholar Athlete Awards, funded by Double M Construction, were presented to Sasha Strain and Antonio Veloz. The Outstanding Senior Athlete Awards, supported by the Wulfenstein Family Scholarship, went to Sasha Strain and Matthew Lopez.
A new distinction, the Superintendent’s Choice Award, was introduced this year. This award honors students not just for academics or athletics, but for leadership, kindness, and positive impact. At PVHS, the award was presented to Antonio Veloz “in recognition for his unique and indelible mark on his classmates, school, and community through exceptional service, leadership and example.”
Scholarship presentations followed, beginning with the Death Valley 49ers scholarship awarded to Michael Keyes.
The AngloGold Ashanti NA scholarships, originally intended for two recipients, expanded to five due to an overwhelming number of impressive applicants. Recipients included Michael Keyes, Antonio Veloz, Alexis Staples, Analise Veloz, and Makenzie Eaton.
Tamalyn Taylor presented the Southern Nye County Conservation District award to Adriana Amador. The Rotary Club of Pahrump recognized five students with scholarships: Shaianne Sparkman, Madison Mendenhall, Alexis Staples, Abigail Hull, and Makenzie Eaton. The Desert View Hospital Community Scholarship, presented by Ryan Muccio, awarded Anthony Hunt, Abigail Hull, Adriana Amador, with Michael Keyes winning the largest scholarship at $2000.
Megan and James Kinthiseng, along with Lisa Hamrick, presented the Kinthiseng Family Scholarship to Adriana Amador, Logan Shelton, and Analise Veloz. Former Floyd Elementary students Analise and Antonio Veloz were each awarded $500 scholarships presented by Mr. Hull and the Floyd Elementary Student Council, represented by President Emma Tallent, Vice President Callie Johnson, Treasurer McKenna Nye, and representatives Kimber Ostrenger and Harrison Long-Yanez.
Mr. Carl Miller presented the Patricia Miller Memorial Scholarship to Gianni Ayala, Makenzie Eaton, Alejandra Abarca-Franco, Abigail Hull, Antonio Veloz, and Analise Veloz. The Martin Luther King Scholarship, presented by CJ Byron and Doré Foskey, was awarded to Makenzie Eaton, Abigail Hull, Antonio Veloz, Adriana Amador, Gianni Ayala, and Analise Veloz.
Valley Electric Association awarded a range of scholarships: Michael Keyes and Sasha Strain received $2,000 each; Adriana Amador and Analise Veloz received $1,500 each; Jesse Araujo, Jordan Onigkeit, Abigail Hull, Anthony Hunt, and Antonio Veloz were awarded $1,000 each; and Carlee Barton and Cybel Cruz-Martinez each received $500. Amy Carlson also presented the Pahrump Jr. Trojans Soccer Club awards to Khylar Park and Madison Mendenhall ($2,000 each), Adriana Amador ($1,500), Analise and Antonio Veloz ($1,000 each), and Valery Romero and Erick Becerra ($500 each).
Joe Veloz presented the McKinney-Vento Scholarship to Ashlon Stewart, while Dave Harris presented the Dr. Geraldine Harge Community Service Award to Alexis Staples. Harris, alongside Mike Abbiss, also presented the Kiwanis Club of Pahrump Valley Scholarships to Alexis Staples, Aurora Muns, Jordan Onigkeit, and Michael Keyes.
The American First National Bank Scholarships went to Ashlon Stewart, Analise Veloz, and Antonio Veloz. Michael Keyes received the National Association of Student Councils award, while Makenzie Eaton was honored with the National Society of High School Scholars award. National Merit Scholarship plaques were awarded to Sasha Strain and Wolfe Beckley. Michael Keyes was also the recipient of the Silent Servant Scholarship from the Peter R. Marsh Foundation for his quiet, invaluable service to others.
As the ceremony continued, stoles and cords were presented, recognizing additional achievements. GBC stoles were awarded to students graduating with an associate degree: Jessie Araujo (Associate of Arts), Wolfe Beckley, Madelynn Boruchowitz, and Michael Keyes (Associate of Science). Interact cords went to Abigail Hull, Alejandra Abarca-Franco, Alexis Staples, Madison Mendenhall, Sasha Strain, Aliana Zuniga, and Adriana Amador.
Thespian Honor Cords were awarded by Mr. DiLella and Dr. Duvall to Carlee Barton, Asia Bell, Taralynn Hallenback, Kyleah Hoffman, Keagen Markuson, and Vanessa Sherard. Drama letter recipients included Carlee Barton, Asia Bell, Taralynn Hallenback, Kyleah Hoffman, Vanessa Sherard, as well as Benjamin Banuelos and Ozias Daniel. Asia Bell also received the Hope Squad cord, presented by Candice Mitchell.
Mr. Curtis presented Yearbook cords to editors Charlotte Ballantine and Bryn Mazlo, with Head Editor cords going to Analise Veloz and Madelynn Boruchowitz. National Honor Society cords were given to Alejandra Abarca-Franco, Abigail Alberto Amador, Wolfe Beckley, Madelynn Boruchowitz, Jemima Chavez, Kaydence (Luka) Farrell-Anderson, Abigail Hull, Christopher George Jacks, Jordan Onigkeit, Alexis Staples, Antonio Veloz, Amanda Wesatzke, Madison Mendenhall, and Carlyn Williams. Officer cords were presented to Gianni Ayala, Angelina Valdez, Analise Veloz, and Michael Keyes.
Student Council cords went to Wolfe Beckley, James Dela Rosa, Jocelyn Iniguez, Michael Keyes, Jordan Onigkeit, Angelina Valdez, Aurora Whitney, and Aliana Zuniga. Four-year medals were presented to James Dela Rosa, Michael Keyes, and Angelina Valdez.
Honors graduate sashes recognized an extensive list of students, including Alejandra Abarca-Franco, Silas Allen, Adriana Amador, Jesse Araujo, Chayla Baang, Charlotte Ballantine, Nash Barnes, Wolfe Beckley, Asia Bell, Madelynn Boruchowitz, Luis Calderon Gomez, Kayleen Carranza, Sergio Carrillo, Joshua Christiansen, Danika Cox-Hosino, Ryleigh Denton, Jasmine DiPreta, Angelle’Keesha Dusich, Liberty Hippach, Abigail Hull, Anthony Hunt, Matthew Lopez, Gracy Macaulay, Emilie Martin, Nivea Moss, Randall Murray, Isaac Norton, Carter Nygaard, Saida Pearson, Valery Romero, Logan Shelton, Shaianne Sparkman, Alexis Staples, Ashlon Stewart, Sasha Strain, Annie Turmelle, Angelina Valdez, Antonio Veloz, Analise Veloz, Lyndsey White, Carlyn Williams, Madison Mendenhall, Matthew Young, Aliana Zuniga, and Andrew Zurn.
Academic excellence was also recognized with awards for students maintaining GPAs of 3.5 or higher and those achieving a 4.0 GPA. Finally, the academic titles of Salutatorian and Valedictorian were announced: Jessie Araujo and Wolfe Beckley, respectively.
The ceremony concluded with heartfelt closing remarks from Principal Veloz, who praised the graduating class for their hard work, resilience, and the bright futures that lie ahead. The evening served as a fitting tribute to the academic, extracurricular, and personal achievements of the PVHS Class of 2025.
