Senior Spotlight: Mackenzie Bryant
A snowy day in fifth grade will stick out as a favorite memory for graduating senior Mackenzie Bryant.
“We had finally gotten snow in Fallon, and my teacher let us go outside. We worked together as a class to build a huge snowman,” said Bryant.
“When I first started Oasis, I was in the 3rd grade. I wasn’t very good at making friends and being social, so for the first two weeks, I stood on the wall and watched the other kids play,” she said. “Then, one day, a couple of girls walked over and asked if I wanted to play. They were very welcoming and made me feel included. That’s how I would describe Oasis.”
“The staff members at Oasis show that they care about the kids. Like the office ladies taking the time to memorize each kid and their name. Or the amount of extra support that the teachers offer when they see a student struggling. And the high school counselor and advisor who help kids with their academic dreams after high school. They help make sure we’re staying on track and succeed,” she said.
“I would like to thank Mr. Lenon for everything he’s done. Since he started at Oasis when I was in 5th grade, he’s always been about the students,” she said. “He’s the person you can go to and know that he’s really listening to what you’re saying, and he will do everything he can to help whatever issue you have.”
“Aside from that, he’s also the teacher that is also every student’s friend. He’s not judgmental, and he knows how to take a joke, especially when we make one about his baldness. Every class or meeting with Mr. Lenon, there’s always laughter and storytelling,” she added.
Along with completing school work on time, Bryant has more advice for future students.
“Friends come and go. Time does its thing, and sometimes people grow apart, and that’s okay. Don’t let a run-down friendship ruin your prime years,” she said.
Bryant will graduate in May with her high school diploma and associate of arts degree from Western Nevada College. She plans to attend the University of Nevada Reno and study biology to become a genetic counselor eventually.
Hershey Grant Helps Connect Bighorns and Community
By Hunter McNabb
Students buzzed as colorful fabrics were laid about the cafeteria tables. Students were busy chatting, cutting strips of fabric, tying knots, and connecting to improve the community. The “Bighorn Blanket-a-thon” was a success as different generations of students worked to support the older community in the county by creating fleece tie blankets to donate to local charitable organizations.
Student Body Secretary Hunter McNabb applied for the Hershey Heartwarming Action Grant last year and received the award to support a program that connected multiple communities across the campus and region. Through the grant application, student leadership also learned about real-world opportunities to secure program funding and grant writing basics.
"For some students, making the transition to high school from middle school can be difficult. One way to help bridge that transition is through relationships,” said Eric Grimes, Academic Advisor. “This project helped build relationships between middle and high school students so next year, especially for our 8th graders, the high school won't seem so foreign when they get there because they will recognize familiar faces."
Nevada State FFA Officers Visit the Bighorn Herd
By Hunter McNabb
Nevada FFA State President Morgan Noorda and Vice President Gavin McLean visited in mid-November. The officers learned about the Oasis FFA chapter program goals and met with school officials.
After attending a luncheon and meeting with all Oasis FFA members, Noorda and McLean toured facilities with Oasis FFA officers. They discussed program opportunities and hosted several interactive leadership workshops. One workshop emphasized the importance of communication and connection for leadership and supported the importance and value of agricultural education.
“We are honored to have state officers visit Oasis Academy. We are the only charter school in the state with an FFA program, and it is great that they take the time to come to our campus, meet with our students, and learn our goals,” said Rochelle Tisdale, Interim Chief Executive Officer.
Pictured below: Senior Mackenzie Bryant and Morgan Noorda, Ruby Hiskett, Hunter McNabb, and Gavin McLean with FFA.
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