Bighorn Bulletin - Oasis Academy

Senior Spotlight: Tyler Siebecker

Get involved. That’s the advice graduating senior Tyler Siebecker has for future students at Oasis Academy. “Take advantage of the various clubs, organizations, and activities on campus,” said Siebecker. “Getting involved will not only help you make friends but also provide you with opportunities to develop new skills and interests.”

The senior started at Oasis Academy in eighth grade and has taken advantage of the school's opportunities. “I was not excited to come to Oasis at all. However, after learning the different benefits Oasis has to offer, I decided to stay with the program. It was ultimately the best decision I’ve made,” he said.

“I would like to thank Ms. Jackie Bogdanowicz for her persistence and dedication to her job,” he said. “She was my teacher for two years and FFA advisor for five years. Along with teaching me a lot, she is also both the easiest person to talk to and the most relatable staff at Oasis.”

Golf Coach David Halloran has also been influential for the senior. “Throughout high school, I was part of the Oasis Golf Team. I’d also like to thank Coach Halloran for his dedication to the sport and the reason I’ve come so far on and off the course,” said Siebecker. 

Siebecker will graduate in May with his high school diploma and associate of arts degree from Western Nevada College. He then plans to attend the University of Nevada, Reno, for a bachelor's degree.

Lego Robotics Advances to State

Team Bighorns is moving on to state in the First Lego League Challenge. Under coaches Kathy and John Keitz, the team won the first-place Breakthrough Award, with Captain Penelopi Doyen leading the team.

This year’s Northern Nevada FLL Qualifier was held at Mendive Middle School in Sparks. Oasis sent two teams, team Bighorns, and team Oasis, to the competition. Thirty-four teams in total competed. “As a team, we were nervous, but once the competition started, all the nerves left. We are proud of all we accomplished and advancing to state,” said Doyen. 

While Team Oasis did not advance, team captain Blake Bettis received high praise from the judges.  “The judges said Blake stood out in the interviews both for his presentation abilities and especially as a mentor for the other students and captain,” Coach Kathy Keitz said.

This year’s state competition will be held in January at the Joe Crowley Student Union on the University of Nevada, Reno campus.
“As we prepare for state, we're going to focus on time management. We’re excited to get back to practicing and do well at the next level of competition,” said Doyen.

Bighorns Bring Leadership to Western Leadership Conference

By Hunter McNabb

Students roared, banners flew, and spirit grew at the 2023 Nevada Association of Student Councils Western Regional Conference in November at Fernley High School. As the first conference for many student council members this year, high school students from around Western Nevada were invited to learn and connect with others. 

This conference reflected a milestone for the Bighorn herd as it had the most workshop presenters, delegates, and junior counselors from Oasis Academy. These student leaders took on different roles, learning from others, presenting unique ideas, and leading groups of their peers.

This year's junior counselors enlisted for the conference were Anna Springfield, Halle Feest, Sarah Polish, Natalie Jaques, Eneyde Rios, and Hunter McNabb. These are the first Oasis students to be student counselors since before COVID-19. As counselors, they attended special training and acted as conference staff, helping facilitate various leadership lessons and ensuring the conference went smoothly. 

Oasis Academy also had the opportunity to send several workshop presenters to the conference and host two workshops. The presenters included Alyssa Ayers, Benton Snow, Laynee Diaz, Taylor Hyde, and Grace Laca. As workshop presenters, students created curriculums, icebreakers, and activities to teach valuable lessons and encourage discussion among participants. 

“This conference is a great way for the students to interact with peers across the Western Region,” said Eric Grimes, Oasis Student Council Advisor. “The energy developed at this event carries over to our council, making the school atmosphere electric.” 

To learn more about the high school student council and its programming, you can contact Eric Grimes at [email protected]. 

Pictured below: Tyler Siebecker, Senior Spotlight and Back row: Thanh Nguyen, Alyssa Ayers, Laynee Diaz, Grace Laca, Trevor Dunlap, Hailey Arends. Front row: Taylor Hyde, Nevaeh Routt, Isabella Hockenberry-Grimes.