Pahrump Valley High School graduates 271 seniors in community celebration

Families packed the Pahrump Valley High School football field at 501 E. Calvada Blvd. and filled the grandstands as 271 seniors crossed into graduation night at the Class of 2026 ceremony. The size of the crowd made the ceremony feel less like a school exercise than one of Pahrump’s biggest shared gatherings, with Principal Desiree Veloz handing out diplomas and certifying the class once the final one had been presented.

The event carried a clear student voice from the start. Student Body President Gloria Walker and Student Body Secretary Jazmyn Herrera emceed the ceremony, keeping the program moving as graduates filed across the stage. After receiving their diplomas, seniors were handed sunflowers before returning to their seats to turn their tassels, a small ritual that marked the end of their high school careers. Around them, the usual graduation mix of hugs, handshakes and dancing played out on the field as families watched from every side.

The ceremony also highlighted some of the names that defined the class academically. Valedictorian Timothy Stutzman and salutatorian Naomi Schott were featured speakers, and PVHS counselor Mike Abbiss served as the guest speaker. Hailey Dobson performed the National Anthem on trumpet, adding another individual note to a program built around the accomplishments of a single senior class.

The scale of the celebration reflected how important graduation remains in Nye County. A pre-ceremony notice said each graduate was allotted reserved tickets, there was no general admission, gates were set to open at 6 p.m. and seating had to be finished by 7:45 p.m. Outside food and drinks were prohibited except for one bottle of water up to 32 ounces, and a fireworks display was planned to follow the ceremony.

The 271 graduates also placed this class in a broader local context. It was smaller than the 284 seniors who graduated from PVHS in 2025, but it topped the 267 graduates from 2019, which had stood as the school record at the time. In 2020, pandemic restrictions forced PVHS into a drive-thru ceremony for 260 seniors. This year’s class showed the return of a full, traditional gathering, and a reminder that Pahrump’s biggest school milestone still brings the whole community together.