The cost of a college education today is often described as downright astronomical, and with good reason.

So scholarships are not only a testimony to a student's hard work and effort throughout their high school career, but also a reason for proud parents to breathe a sigh of relief.

Every little bit dropped into the college fund piggy bank helps, and the parents of two Pahrump Valley High School students find themselves not only proud of their child, but also with a little help in furthering their education.

Reynaldo Veloz, who received eight of the 16 scholarships awarded Wednesday night, will be standing in line to buy books for his first college semester with some change jingling his pocket.

Veloz was on the Trojans' football, basketball and track teams during his senior year at PVHS.

Veloz's Nevada High School Scholars, Rotary Club, and Kiwanis Club Scholarships were worth $1,000 each, and he garnered an additional $5,000 from the Ron and Charlotte Floyd Scholarship, giving him a total of $8,000 from just half of the scholarships he was awarded.

Also of note is Jessica VanBuren, who received six of the scholarships given out, including being the sole recipient of the Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholarship.

Several seniors received two scholarships, including Abi Gill and Jeff Holley. Gill was on the Southern 3-A League championship fast-pitch softball team,while Holley played soccer, basketball and golf for the Trojans.