Pershing County High School seniors are getting a crash course in adulthood this year through a new Senior Seminar class, a program highlighted during a recent school board meeting by Tammy Westergard of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. The class combines career preparation, financial literacy, and real-world experience, giving students practical tools for life after graduation.
School Counselor Matthew Schottel said the program, introduced this year, was designed to move beyond traditional electives and to provide seniors with skills they can apply immediately after leaving high school.
Teachers Shelly Nee, Jesse Canchola, Lee Houston, and Jazmin Martinez lead the class as a team along with Schottel.
Throughout the year, students have heard from guest speakers on topics ranging from military service and scholarships to taxes, banking, and legal responsibilities after turning 18. Local industry has also been represented, including a presentation on careers in mining.
Students have also participated in hands-on projects to build real-world skills. A fall “Shark Tank”-style activity had students develop and present small business ideas. Later, a holiday market allowed them to create and sell products such as jewelry, embroidered items, welded yard art, and other goods. Additional lessons throughout the year focus on entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and everyday life skills such as cooking, home maintenance, relationships, and goal setting.
A major component of the program now underway is a partnership with Westergard to implement the ACT WorkKeys program. Through that program, students can earn a National Career Readiness Certificate, a credential that demonstrates workplace skills to potential employers.
The class has also included college and career exploration, with student trips to the University of Nevada, Reno, and visits to Truckee Meadows Community College and Great Basin College campuses. They recently visited the Nevada State Museum in Carson City.
“Last spring, when we were reviewing the school’s master schedule, Mrs. Nee and I wanted to create another elective option for seniors that would be more than just a ‘fun’ class. We wanted to build something students would enjoy while also learning valuable life skills and practical knowledge,” Schottel said.
“We built the class from scratch based on what we wanted students to experience and what they told us through surveys and discussions they wanted to learn,” he added.
Schottel expects about 49 seniors to graduate this year, and the goal, he said, is for each to leave with a clear plan and the skills needed to pursue it. School officials say they hope to continue and expand elements of the program in future years.
In other business, the board discussed the district’s four-day school week, including concerns about scheduling athletic events during the week and the time they take away from the classroom. Board member Mike Mancebo noted that one of the original selling points of the four-day schedule was the ability to play most games on Fridays and Saturdays, preserving instructional time.
A retired teacher who currently substitutes in the district said the four-day work week attracts new teachers, as the district continues to face staffing challenges.
District officials said they are actively recruiting to fill multiple open positions, including several special education roles, secondary teaching positions, and support staff. Efforts include attending job fairs in Oregon and Northern Nevada and reaching out to other districts that may have displaced staff. Officials noted that filling special education positions remains particularly challenging.
Trustees also approved a transition to a new phone system after being notified that monthly costs with the district’s current provider could increase from roughly $1,700 to nearly $19,000. District staff expect the change to reduce expenses substantially while maintaining service across schools.
Superintendent Dennis Holmes also outlined a proposed new facility that would primarily serve middle school students. Holmes said the project remains in a very early planning phase, with no final design in place.
The building would likely be located west of the high school, behind the baseball field, and would be used during the school day by middle school students and for after-school activities. Other grade levels could use it as needed.
The district’s middle school currently lacks its own gymnasium, and the proposed space could help address that need.
Holmes said the project would be funded through a bond, though officials are still working out the details. The district expects to make a final decision around June 2026.
The next meeting of the Pershing County School Board is scheduled for April 20 at 5:15 p.m. at the district office on 1150 Elmhurst Ave.
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