Whether raising funds or volunteering time, Pyramid Lake’s Native youth have proven they have hearts for service. In December 2024, the UNITY Youth Council organized an early-morning breakfast burrito fundraiser that brought the community together for a good cause m.facebook.com. Starting at 7:30 a.m. on the Friday before Christmas, council members and volunteers gathered in the Nixon gym’s kitchen, rolling out fresh tortillas and brewing coffee to serve anyone who stopped byfacebook.com. Instead of charging a set price, they asked only for donations to support their youth programs and travel to leadership conferences. Community members showed up in droves – not just for the delicious burritos, but to support the youth. The students added festive touches like holiday music, a raffle, and ornament decorations to make it a fun social eventm.facebook.com. One organizer urged neighbors on social media to join, saying, “Please, come on up to the gym Friday morning, drop a donation, get a burrito, buy a raffle ticket, listen to some Christmas music…”facebook.com. The warm response demonstrated the strong circle of support between Pyramid Lake’s youth and the wider community.
Pyramid Lake’s Native youth are not only celebrating – they are also speaking up and taking leadership roles in civic life. The Pyramid Lake High School UNITY Youth Council, composed of dedicated sophomores, juniors, and seniors, meets weekly to plan initiatives and represent their peerspyramidlakeschools.com. “The council is made up of high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Pyramid Lake High School — many of whom are also student-athletes,” notes one community partner, highlighting the well-rounded talents of these young leadersinstagram.com. They serve as the voice of youth in the community, coordinating with tribal officials and school staff on issues that matter to teens. In October 2024, for example, Pyramid Lake senior Soleil Burke delivered a land acknowledgment before a crowd in Reno when Nevada’s governor visited – an honor that placed a local Native youth on a public stageplpt.nsn.us. From opening ceremonies to student government, Pyramid Lake teens are ensuring Native youth perspectives are heard.
Service projects led by students extend beyond fundraising. Throughout the year, Pyramid Lake Jr/Sr High students pitch in on community needs – often in partnership with tribal departments. For example, the Youth Council collaborated with the Tribe’s Victim Services and Food Distribution programs to host the Valentine’s Teen Dance, contributing food and resources to make it free for allschoolandcollegelistings.com. Many teens also volunteer at health and wellness events. In April 2025, students helped the tribe put on an Autism Awareness Walk/Run at the Pyramid Lake Museum, manning water stations and cheering on participantsschoolandcollegelistings.com. They have also assisted with culture and wellness workshops, such as traditional beading classes and “Healing Circle” gatherings focused on coping with griefschoolandcollegelistings.comschoolandcollegelistings.com. By volunteering at these events, the youth not only gain service experience but also help promote physical, mental, and social well-being in the community. Tribal leaders have made youth service a priority as part of a broader prevention strategy – for instance, engaging students in life skills programs to strengthen resiliencesprc.org. The impact is evident: whether they are cleaning up around the lake, delivering meals to elders, or organizing donation drives for those in need, Pyramid Lake’s young people are learning the value of giving back. Their initiatives foster unity between generations and set a positive example. In the process, the students themselves grow as leaders.
As UNITY’s motto suggests, these Native youth “serve the people, one community at a time,” living out traditional values of generosity and respect through each service project they lead.
Sources: Youth Council fundraiser detailsfacebook.comm.facebook.com; Valentine’s Dance collaboratorsschoolandcollegelistings.com; Autism Awareness eventschoolandcollegelistings.com; Pyramid Lake strategic plan (youth life skills)sprc.org.