Pahrump 4-H Robotics Coach to Kiss a Pig, Raising Funds for Youth Program

A coach with Pahrump's Awkward Silence 4-H robotics team announced a playful "Kiss the Pig" challenge to generate funding for the program's travel, equipment and competition costs, combining a lighthearted stunt with a push to sustain one of Nye County's most active youth STEM programs.

The fundraiser arrives as both Awkward Silence and the Pahrump Valley High School Trojan Horse robotics team are fresh off the Robotics State Championship, where the PVHS squad placed 13th out of 23 teams in the qualification round, finishing just one spot below the top-12 cutoff that would have advanced them to playoffs. With both teams now turning their attention to a season that begins in September, the fundraiser aims to shore up the resources needed to compete at that level again.

Jennifer Riendeau, head coach of Awkward Silence, has guided the team through a period of growth that mirrors the program's community roots. She and her husband Jason stepped into coaching roles after first joining as team parents. This year marks a transition: Jason is retiring from his coaching duties, and Dylan Riendeau is taking over the second coaching role. Mentor Kevin Holl continues to support the team alongside the new coaching lineup.

"It is a very family family-oriented program. There are people from all walks of life who compete with their robots," Riendeau said. "It's a competition. We get that, but the reality is we want people to succeed."

Awkward Silence holds practices Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the 4-H building on the corner of Dandelion Street and Calvada Blvd. The PVHS Trojan Horse team, whose members include Wolfe Beckley, Jasmin Garcia and Aidan Thompson, is coached through the school and can be reached through Carlos McDonald at cmcdonald@nyeschools.org. Those interested in Awkward Silence can contact Riendeau directly at pahrumpftc@gmail.com.