Author: Amy Veloz

Amy (King) Carlson, a Pahrump Valley High School (PVHS) alumna and an active community member, exemplifies a life filled with purpose, leadership, and a commitment to uplifting others. A 2002 graduate of PVHS, Amy’s journey from her high school years to her current roles reflects resilience, adaptability, and a strong connection to the people and community that shaped her. From her earliest days in high school, Amy stood out as a dedicated student and athlete. She recalls her fondest memories of high school with warmth, emphasizing the strong friendships and camaraderie among her classmates. “Everyone got along,” she said, reflecting…

After coming off a challenging five-game tournament where they went 2-3, the Pahrump Valley High School Trojans softball team bounced back in a big way with a commanding 15-0 win over Democracy Prep on Monday, March 3. The Trojans wasted no time setting the tone, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. Lead-off batter Autumn Colon got things rolling with a single, followed by Riley Saldaña reaching first on a walk. Evalenne Armendariz added another single before Madison Rodriguez crushed a triple, bringing runners across the plate. Rodriguez was tagged out attempting to score on a later…

Physical fitness plays a critical role in addiction recovery, and Living Free Gym, which opened in November 2023 and is located at 301 Oxbow Ave, Suite 2, was created with this philosophy in mind. The gym is more than just a workout facility—it is an integral part of Living Free Health’s holistic approach to recovery, providing a safe and structured environment for individuals to build both physical and mental resilience. “Exercise is a game changer in recovery,” said Shelley Poerio, CEO and Founder of Living Free Health. “It helps with depression, anxiety, and even cravings. We make fitness a requirement…

The Pahrump Valley High School Choir Department is preparing to set sail on a musical adventure with their upcoming staged musical theatre performance, 30 Minutes with the Pirates of Penzance. The show, featuring the work of renowned British comedic duo Gilbert and Sullivan, promises a lively and entertaining experience for audiences. In addition to the musical theatre production, the concert will also include performances of other selected songs and a special appearance by the Pahrump Community Choir. The performances will take place on March 6th and March 14th at 6:30 PM in the PVHS auditorium. Admission is free for PVHS…

The Pahrump Valley High School (PVHS) Trojans track and field team had an impressive showing at the Arbor View Newcomers Meet on Friday, February 28. This event, which welcomes first-year track athletes of all grade levels, provided a great opportunity for the Trojans to showcase their developing talent. The Lady Trojans put forth strong performances in both sprints and distance races. In the 100m dash, Heavenly Ware led the way with a 9th-place finish out of 51 runners, clocking in at 14.32 seconds. Valery Romero followed closely in 11th place (14.54), while McKinsey Nottingham, Jordan Onigkeit, and Addi Nelsen all…

The Pahrump Valley High School Trojans kicked off their 2025 golf season with the 37th annual Pahrump Valley Invitational, held at Mountain Falls Golf Course on February 27-28, 2025. The tournament featured 21 teams and 104 golfers, with players competing in three different flights based on their performance after the first day: the gold flight for the top players, the silver flight for the next tier, and the maroon flight for the remaining competitors. The Trojans competed in the maroon flight as a team, while senior Matthew Lopez played in the silver flight as an individual. PVHS ultimately secured third…

The Pahrump Valley High School track and field team kicked off their competitive season at the Bulldog Invitational on March 1, held at Centennial High School. To compete in the Bulldog Invitational, athletes had to be among the top four in their event at PVHS and must have previously competed in that event. Newcomers, who had not yet participated in a meet, competed the day before in a separate newcomer’s meet. The event consisted mostly of larger 4A and 5A schools, making it a strong test for the Trojans. Despite the stiff competition, PVHS athletes showed up and delivered impressive…

Toddler hair is a fickle thing. A tiny kiddo waking up with a messy bed-head is adorable, yet awful for the parent that’ll be untangling it. Two of my three children are girls with stick-straight, ultra-fine hair – perfect for tangling. We’re on year four of battling with brushes, and here’s what I’ve learned thus far. Keep only what you need. I’m not skilled enough to do fancy styles with multiple tiny sections and my fingers snap those tiny elastics more often than not. I always, always reach for the larger, fabric type bands or a bow so that’s all…

The Pahrump Valley High School softball team kicked off their season at the Needles Tournament in Needles, California, from February 27 through March 1. Facing tough competition, the Trojans played their first two games against Fernley High School and Palo Verde Valley, battling through challenges on both offense and defense. PVHS vs. Fernley Vaqueros In their opening matchup against Fernley, the Trojans struggled to find their offensive rhythm, ultimately falling 7-0. The game started with promise, as five Trojans stepped up to the plate in the first inning, but only two reached base before the inning ended. Fernley, however, capitalized…

Dementia is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, yet it remains widely misunderstood. Many people assume that dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are the same, the reality though, Alzheimer’s is just one of at least 36 diseases that present dementia as a symptom. Passion, launched from my own personal cognitive struggles, recall a time in my late 30s when I exhibited dementia-like symptoms due to malnutrition and other health conditions. I struggled with short term memory, losing common words, and even forgetting her children’s birthdays. This deep empathy for those living with dementia whether personally or caring and supporting…