Vote4JJPHX

Sharing a little bit about WCSD new transportation yard. If we haven’t had a chance to go see it it’s right off of interstate 80 and Vista. You can see it. It’s a vast improvement from the own yard.

Behind the Scenes with WCSD Transportation 🚌

We recently welcomed School Transportation News to the new Getto Central Transportation Yard for a behind-the-scenes look at the operation that helps keep WCSD moving every day. 🚍✨

Our modernized facility supports more than 170 buses and the dedicated transportation team that safely serves nearly 20,000 students across Washoe County each day. Thank you to our incredible staff for the work they do to get students to and from school safely. 💙

Stay tuned—we can't wait to share the feature when it's published!

Happy Fourth of July from WCSD Trustee JJ Phoenix!

May you and your family have a wonderful Fourth of July weekend, enjoy the freedoms our country offers, and cherish the time spent with friends.

God bless America! 🇺🇸

Good morning people! This past week was a meaningful reminder of the importance of culture, education, service, and community.

I was honored to participate in the Stewart Father’s Day Powwow as a traditional dancer, Gourd Dancer, and member of the Color Guard.

Gatherings like these celebrate our cultures, honor our veterans, strengthen family connections, and provide opportunities for younger generations to learn from our elders.

I also had the privilege of attending the opening ceremony for CoLang 2026 at the University of Nevada, Reno. Bringing together Indigenous language teachers, elders, students, and researchers from around the world, CoLang highlights the vital work of preserving and revitalizing Native languages.

Language carries our history, identity, and values, and its preservation is an investment in future generations. That goes for all languages 🙌🏽😇

To close the week, I had the honor of serving alongside fellow veterans and community members in paying tribute to Floyd Winters Evans, a respected Navy veteran and community member. It was a privilege to help honor his family, his lifetime of service and his lasting legacy.

As a Washoe County School District Trustee, I believe education is strongest when students see their cultures, histories, and communities reflected in their learning. Again this goes for all cultures.

Supporting Native language revitalization, honoring those who have served, and celebrating cultural traditions all contribute to creating a stronger, more connected community for every student.

Together, we continue to preserve our heritage, honor those who came before us, and invest in the next generation.

Have a great weekend!

This week while attending the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Mid-Year Conference in Memphis, Tennessee, I had the opportunity to visit the National Civil Rights Museum at the historic Lorraine Motel.

Like many Americans, I knew this was the place where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Standing at the site and walking through the exhibits, however, reminded me that this story is about much more than one tragic moment in history.

The museum traces the journey from slavery and segregation through the Civil Rights Movement, culminating at the Lorraine Motel where Dr. King spent his final hours. Looking across the street at the rooming house and standing where history unfolded was a powerful and sobering experience.

I also checked out the crime scene. And learned more about the aftermath and a theory. For more information on that, do some research...

What impacted me most was learning more about Dr. King’s final mission. He was in Memphis supporting sanitation workers and organizing the Poor People’s Campaign, a movement that sought to bring together Black Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and poor working families to advocate for economic justice, dignity, and opportunity.

One exhibit that particularly resonated with me highlighted Native American participation in Resurrection City in Washington, D.C. It served as a reminder that Tribal Nations have long been part of the broader struggle for civil rights, self-determination, and equality.

As a citizen of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, a veteran, I left with a deeper appreciation for those who came before us and the responsibility we share to continue advocating for our communities.

History is not just about remembering the past. It is about understanding how the work of justice, opportunity, and self-determination continues today by all those who came before us.

I also had the chance to go to a RedBird baseball game, ride a scooter, each some damn good BBQ, and stop by MLK Reflection Park, and enjoy the nice weather.

Memphis was a powerful reminder that progress is achieved when people come together, build relationships, and remain committed to creating a better future for the next generation.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is open to the public. If you feel comfortable when you’d like to stop by and watch the very beginning, it’s called a grand entry where all the dancers come in. Please stop by at the beginning of each session. And if you wanna look at vendors and find some good things to buy again stop on by.

Have a great weekend!

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STEWART FATHER’S DAY POWWOW 2026 SCHEDULE

The Nevada Department of Native American Affairs is proud to host the annual Father’s Day Powwow from June 19–21, 2026. Save the schedule so you don't miss a single moment of spectacular traditional dancing, powerful drumming, and incredible local arts, crafts, and food vendors!✨

Event Details:🗓️ June 19–21, 2026

📍 5500 Snyder Ave, Carson City, NV🎟️ FREE Admission & Parking
🚫 Strictly Drug & Alcohol-Free Event
Bring your lawn chairs and the whole family to celebrate Indigenous culture, community, and fathers.
See you there! 👇

This morning, I had the privilege of attending the North Valleys High School Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony at Lawlor Events Center, and the atmosphere inside the arena was absolutely magnificent.

From the moment the ceremony began, the energy in the house was electric. Families packed the stands, graduates were fired up, and there was a genuine sense of excitement and pride throughout the entire venue.

The North Valleys JROTC Color Guard was outstanding. Their drill and ceremony performance was “snap, crackle, pop” sharp, disciplined, synchronized, and right on cadence. They represented their school with professionalism and pride, setting the tone for a memorable morning.

The music programs were equally impressive. The band, orchestra, and choir brought energy and emotion to the ceremony, showcasing the incredible talent that exists at North Valleys High School. Their performances helped create an atmosphere that was both celebratory and inspiring.

The student speakers delivered messages that were thoughtful, energetic, and motivating.

One student who particularly stood out was Natalia Aguon. Her free-spirited, go-get-’em attitude was contagious. She brought authenticity, confidence, and enthusiasm to the stage, reminding her classmates to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.

Principal Tomas Macaluso delivered a message that resonated with students and families alike. Using an analogy from Toy Story, he reminded graduates about growth, friendship, purpose, and having the courage to continue moving forward into the next chapter of life. Thank you, Tomas, for those inspiring words and for your leadership.

What stood out most was the culture that has been built at North Valleys High School. The pride, school spirit, leadership, talent, and support for one another were evident throughout the ceremony.

To the Class of 2026: do not be afraid to fail. Failure is often the pathway to growth, learning, and success. Have the courage to take the next step, even when the road ahead is uncertain. Believe in yourselves, work hard, and continue striving toward your goals.

Congratulations, Panthers. Your future is bright, and we cannot wait to see what you accomplish next.

🎓🐾 North Valleys High School Class of 2026 🐾🎓

Day Three of Washoe County School District Senior Graduations Wahoo!

Today at the Lawlor Events Center, I had the honor and privilege, along with my fellow Washoe County School District Trustees, to celebrate two outstanding graduating classes: the Spanish Springs High School Cougars and the Reed High School Raiders, Class of 2026.

Spanish Springs High School, led by Principal Sean Hall, has much to celebrate. The Cougars captured their first-ever Class 5A Nevada State Football Championship and witnessed a historic milestone when two graduating seniors became the first students in Nevada history to earn the State Seal of Biliteracy in Northern Paiute. This achievement represents an important step forward in preserving and revitalizing Indigenous language and culture.

The Spanish Springs JROTC Color Guard proudly presented the colors, and Cougar pride was on full display with the beautiful cougar mount displayed below the stage, donated by the family of a former student.

At Reed High School, Principal Josh Rosenbloom delivered a heartfelt and original message centered on students and families. His remarks reflected the dedication, sacrifice, and support that helped bring graduates to this important milestone. Reed continues to demonstrate strong academic growth and student success, and the Raider spirit was evident throughout the ceremony.

Both schools showcased the incredible talents of their students through outstanding performances by their orchestras, bands, and choirs during the singing of our National Anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. The performances were exceptional and highlighted the importance of music and the arts in our schools.

The JROTC programs from both schools were equally impressive. Their professionalism, precision, and leadership reflected the very best of our students. Reed’s drill and ceremony performance especially energized the crowd and brought the audience to its feet.

We also cannot forget the many individuals who worked behind the scenes to make these ceremonies such a success. Thank you to the announcers, ushers, event staff, custodial teams, security personnel, volunteers, teachers, counselors, administrators, and countless others whose enthusiasm, professionalism, and commitment to excellence ensured these graduations ran smoothly and efficiently.

Today was more than a graduation ceremony. It was a celebration of achievement, perseverance, leadership, culture, family, and community.

Congratulations to the Spanish Springs Cougars and Reed Raiders Class of 2026! Your accomplishments have made your schools, families, and community proud.

The future is bright. Go Cougars! Go Raiders!