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 set the tone for her high school career, where she consistently pushed herself to excel. By taking two years’ worth of Spanish in one year and advancing her credits early on, she set a strong foundation for future success.
Sophomore year brought more challenging courses, including AP World History and Algebra II, which required significant effort and time management. “AP World History was my most challenging class in high school. It looked like a real college class compared to my others,” Alina explained. However, she overcame these challenges by creating a better schedule and leaning into the work. Junior year, in addition to taking classes at GBC, Alina also took Anatomy at PVHS, which really sparked her interest in the medical field, helping to drive her decision for a college major.
Throughout her high school years, Alina was supported by many mentors and teachers. She specifically mentioned the significant impact of her parents and Mr. Herron. “My parents pushed me my whole life to be the best I can be, from Kindergarten on setting high expectations for me. Mr. Herron had a huge impact on my academic success. He was a constant support and friend who was always willing to help with whatever paper or project I had, pushing me to take every opportunity I could in high school,” she said, highlighting the importance of a strong support system.
Balancing academics with extracurricular activities was another critical aspect of Alina’s high school experience. She participated in volleyball, basketball, and softball for all four years, and was also involved in Yearbook and the National Honor Society. “These sports were important to me because I learned many important skills, like teamwork and staying active,” she shared. Her involvement in Yearbook allowed her to express her creative side, while the National Honor Society taught her the value of community service. “I can’t imagine high school without these activities. They opened doors for me and taught me valuable lessons.”
One of the most memorable moments of Alina’s high school career was graduating and delivering her salutatorian speech. “I will never forget that feeling of all my hard work and effort amounting to one event and one moment,” she recalled. Her GPA and achieving the title of Salutatorian stand out as accomplishments she is particularly proud of.
Alina credits her family, especially her parents and grandparents, as her biggest support system throughout high school. “No matter what I needed, my family was there for me with unwavering love and a constant want to help me,” she said. Her mother, in particular, has been a source of inspiration. “Her dedication to her job and purpose has motivated me to do the same,” Alina noted. “I want to do the best I can to make them all proud and reflect positively on my family.”
L-R (Dad) Armando, Aydon, (Mom) Desiree, Alina and Olivia
Looking ahead, Alina plans to attend the University of Nevada, Reno, where she will major in kinesiology and work towards becoming an Occupational Therapist or Athletic Trainer. She is drawn to the medical field because of her interest in anatomy and physiology, as well as her desire to help others.
To incoming freshmen, Alina advises staying involved and taking every opportunity to further their education and growth. “Get uncomfortable, make connections, and stay true to yourself. Make sure to prioritize getting good grades and learning the content rather than cheating,” she recommended. “Make goals you want to reach and keep them in mind throughout your journey.”
Alina’s long term goals include completing college and getting a job where she gets to help other people. She also wants to be able to provide for a family and give back to her community. she plans to achieve these goals by maintaining focus and making smart choices. “I’ll keep my family in mind and surround myself with good people,” she says.
As she prepares to embark on the next chapter of her academic journey, Alina remains focused on her goals but notes she will miss the people from her high school experience. “Interacting with teachers, peers and teammates was one of my favorite things about high school,” she notes. Alina concluded by expressing her gratitude: “I would just like to thank everyone who has made an impact on my life. It means a lot to me and I can’t wait to learn and grow some more in college.”
