Oasis Academy Bighorn Bulletin

Hot Wheels Bring Science to Life in the Classroom

Hot Wheels cars proved to be more than just toys as fourth-grade students used them to explore physical science concepts such as energy and energy transfer through the Amplify Science curriculum.

Students raced and crashed cars on the cafeteria floor, using the activity to connect the speed of an object to its energy. Yardsticks helped measure the distances traveled, adding a quantitative element to their experiments.

"This is one of the best project-based learning units we have ever done over the years," said Raquel Feest. "This project involving Hot Wheels really lets the students be 'hands-on' in their learning about how potential energy is transferred to kinetic energy. Not only that, but the students also learn to work with a partner to collaborate and communicate throughout the whole project."

Senior Spotlight: Fenn Mackedon

Fenn Mackedon, a senior who has attended Oasis Academy since kindergarten, is preparing to graduate with a dual milestone: his Associate of Arts degree from Western Nevada College and his high school diploma.

"My time at Oasis has been an exciting journey, both academically and athletically," Mackedon said.

His academic success includes earning Academic All-State recognition in every sport he played. Athletically, Mackedon has excelled in golf, basketball, and baseball. He qualified for the state tournament in golf as a sophomore, was named NIAA Athlete of the Week in February 2024, and earned All-League Second Team honors for basketball and baseball in the 2024 season.

"I have enjoyed playing for Oasis and have improved dramatically in both baseball and basketball over the years," he said.

Outside of school, Mackedon enjoys hunting and fishing, activities that have given him some of his favorite memories. His entrepreneurial spirit also led him to launch an apparel brand, All Terrain Threads. "One of my favorite memories from high school was going on the annual fishing trip with all my friends to Sheep Creek during the summer. It's the most amazing time in the world," he said.

Looking back on his time at Oasis, Mackedon said his favorite class was sophomore biology with Ms. Jackie Bogdanowicz. "That year, we had two foreign exchange students who I became friends with, and that class always seemed to go by in a flash. It seemed like every day of that class had a laugh," he said.

Mackedon also expressed gratitude for counselor Andy Lenon, who supported him through challenging and joyful moments alike. "I would like to thank Mr. Lenon. He's always been there to guide me through these past four years. He's helped me through some hard times and laughed with me through some good ones," Mackedon said.

As Senior Class President, Mackedon shared advice for future students.

"Don't let it go by too fast, because pretty soon you'll be graduating and trying to figure out what you're going to do with your life," he said.

After graduation, Mackedon plans to attend Montana State University to study kinesiology—and, as he noted with a smile, "most importantly, catch fish."

Top left, Tinlee Tanberg and Damian Gonzalez. Top right, Amanda Barbosa, Buster Bighorn, Evelyn Brooks, and Sue Ware. Center left, Hayes Allegre, aand Jessie Bourdeau.

Buster’s Best Recognizes Students for Empathy

With the second quarter coming to a close, Oasis Academy honored students who went above and beyond with the Buster’s Best Awards. Check out a few photos below. 

This quarter, the school focused on empathy, one of the principles of the Bighorn HERD (honesty, empathy, respect, and determination). 

The following students were selected and honored at the assembly on January 22. Vitis TheFallonPost.org or our Facebook page for a full list of recognized students. 

Rhiley Cecil, Charles Landry, Rowan Lambson, Miguel Rodriguez-Ugalde, Annabelle Davis, Emma-Rose Wallace, Khaleesi Mora, Dylan Thomas, Blake Hill, Kenadi Wilson, Denisse Alaniz, Clara Moffitt, Darcy Thunder, Mateo Aboytes, Sophie Hill, Penelope Sullivan, Pierce Ferguson, Alexandria Drake, Grayson Diaz, Natale Laca, Oliver Bell, Michaela Bryant, Caden Thomas, Stella Heyer, Anastasia Zumwalt, Thurman Hiskett, Tobyn Hammond, Ronin Ansotegui, Kevin Gomez Tellez, Richard Sanford, Emma Ferguson, Victoria Sanchez, Brielle Davis, Adelynn Wood, Ace Pierson, Mia Lewis, Gabriel Martinez, Penelope Derby, Presley Coutinho, Jose Guzman, Adalyn Hagen, Evelyn Brooks, Kyle Coday, Jack Skoda, Wyatt Griffin, Lincoln Dynek, Silas Kirkland, Elizabeth Antoniono, Odysseus Arcoraci, Leila Birge, Indie Sullivan, Aaron Ayers, Hannah Fenton, Cambria McQueen, Ryan Moran Rodriguez, Ollie Ortega, Gabriel Pacheco, Aubrey Reeves, Chloe Rodriguez-Ugalde, Ella Segura, Jameson Stevenson, Turner Ansotegui, Damian Gonzales, Hunter Winder, Tomas de Leon, Lucy Bell, Tyce Arritt, Cash Lewis, Brianna Ugalde, Daleyza Alaniz, Hayes Allegre, Ellie Carrasco, Ian Gygax, Juniper Sorensen, Kathryn Preston, Anson Hyde, Audrey Kovnat, Louise Antoniono, Maylee McKnight, Cora Worth, Tanner Tippett, Wesley Griffin, Hudson Santos, Emalyn Burns, James Hill, Gemma Lambson, Kooper King, Alexandra Manzo, Bailey Warren, Avarie Hyde, Camdyn Cecil, Tensley Johnson, Brooke Bennett, Khloe Shawcroft, Ellie Davis, Reece Manskie, Adley Arritt, Brendalynn Heald, Hailey Shawcroft, Connor Butcher, Owen Olsen, Emma Carrasco, Sophia Derby, Aaron Herrera-Velasquez, Allison Whitaker, Annie Sorensen, Kinsley Viera, Ezra Acomb, Ryder Warren, Avery Laca, Addison Allegre, Gianna Salisbury, Kelsey Nall, Greysen Dubois, Kenton Horn, Jake Nichols, Tyler Mitchell, Jackson Frey, Savannah Lewis, Victor Ledesma-Mata, Gabriela de Leon, Alana Santos, McCartney Kelly, Alison Gutierrez Telles, Sophia Moya, Bailey Peixoto, Keagan Craig, Kenslee Wiessmer, Jeremy Heath, Angelita Montalvo, Mason Darst, Maya Ugalde, Nickolas Sorensen, Odin Roose, Dakota Prinz, Angela Pratt, Addielyn Peel, Alyssa Oyler, Janie Irving, Preston Gurr, Zachary Greenberg, Tyler Wallace, Sebastian Rizo

Above left: Amanda Barbosa, Buster Bighorn, Evelyn Brooks, and Sue Ware. Left: Amanda Barbosa, Buster Bighorn, Hayes Allegre, Jessie Bourdeau.