At Pyramid Lake Jr/Sr High School, Native youth are leading and energizing community events that blend tradition with teen spirit. The student-led Pyramid Lake UNITY Youth Council has established new annual traditions like the Valentine’s Teen Dance – a drug- and alcohol-free social held at the Nixon gym each Februaryschoolandcollegelistings.com. In 2025, the dance drew local teens (ages 14–19) for an evening of music, food, and fun. “Free entry and refreshments will be available,” the council announced, partnering with tribal programs to make the event safe and welcoming for all schoolandcollegelistings.com. Such events give Native students a chance to celebrate together and build friendships in a positive environment.
Meanwhile, youth are also deeply involved in cultural gatherings and festivals. Many Pyramid Lake students participate in local powwows – whether as dancers, singers, or volunteers – sharing their heritage with pride. At the Sacred Visions Powwow on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation, Native families from across Nevada gather to honor traditions. “From inside my heart, I wanted to have something where our people could gather to celebrate happier times,” explained powwow chairman Gordon Dodd of the event’s originsrecordcourier.com. Pyramid Lake’s young people contribute to that vision by dancing in full regalia, helping behind the scenes, and inviting friends from other communities.
In November 2022, a dance group from Pyramid Lake High School even performed traditional dances for schools in Churchill County, sharing their “beautiful language, traditional Pow Wow dance style, and culture” with a wider audiencenevadaappeal.com. Through powwows, school dances, and heritage celebrations, Native youth at Pyramid Lake are joyfully sustaining community connections. These events aren’t just entertainment – they are a form of cultural preservation and social wellness. Students come away with strengthened identity and unity. As one young participant expressed, “I feel like my school provides a safe place to express all aspects of my culture and I love that I got to share my heritage”nevadaappeal.com. By leading and enlivening community events, Pyramid Lake’s Native youth are celebrating who they are and bringing people together in the best of ways.
Sources: Pyramid Lake HS Valentine’s Dance announcementschoolandcollegelistings.com; Churchill County NA Heritage Month reportnevadaappeal.com; Record-Courier powwow interviewrecordcourier.com; Nevada Appeal (student quote)nevadaappeal.com