Bighorn Bulletin

Oasis FFA Storms Nevada FFA State Convention

By Taylor Sowersby

Oasis FFA Members went to Reno last week to attend the 96th annual Nevada FFA State Convention. While there, members competed in various Career Development Event (CDE) competitions, attended general sessions, participated in various workshops, and made connections with members from throughout the state. 

In addition to this, several members earned and were presented with their Silver State FFA Degree, in which members must be enrolled in FFA for three years, complete hours in their Supervised Agricultural Experience, as well as community service time. Congratulations to Grace Laca, Trevor Barrenchea, Ryder McNabb, and Matthew Bird for achieving this prestigious award. 

Students also received results for the CDE (career development event) competitions. Congratulations to Meirra Cavanaugh and Reese Laca for gold in plant systems agriscience fair and earning their way to nationals, Brooke Manskie and Amberlyn Casey for earning gold in animal systems agriscience fair and advancing to nationals, and Sadie Whitaker and Kiley Detomasi for gold in plant systems agriscience fair. 

Other awards included: Lily Smith, Izzy Grimes, Washington Scott and Josh Gusewelle - third place high ag sales team. Meirra Cavanaugh, Matthew Bird, Washington Scott, and Taylor Sowersby f- second place high farm and agribusiness management team. Trevor Barrenchea, John Schoenmeier, Matthew Bird and Washington Scott - third place poultry evaluation team. 

FFA Advisor Jackie Bogdanowicz was named Ag Teacher of the Year. The award was given by the Nevada Ag Foundation. 

The Oasis FFA chapter would like to thank all coaches, volunteers, and chaperones for their help this year, none of this would be possible without them. 

“I’m super proud of all the time and effort everyone put into practicing and preparing for their competitions,” said Jackie Bogdanowicz, Oasis FFA Advisor. “They all did very well, and I look forward to next year’s successes! I’m so proud of my chapter and am grateful for such a good group of kids.”

Senior Spotlight: Haley Ortega Roman

Graduating senior Haley Ortega Roman started at Oasis Academy in her sophomore year of high school. The experience marked a significant change for the student, and she acknowledges the substantial personal and academic growth she has achieved while at Oasis.

“At first I really struggled badly with high school until I switched to Oasis, and it slowly got much better,” Roman said.

“My time at Oasis has been great,” she said. “I've grown so much as a person and academically. There were some curveballs along the way, but now that I see how far I've come it's been a blessing.” 

Roman knew she was in better hands when it came to her education at Oasis Academy. Specifically, she’d like to thank Counselor Andy Lenon for his support.

“A teacher/counselor I would like to thank is Mr. Andy Lenon,” she said. “He has been there and has always been supportive of not only my dreams but also those of other students. Whether it's about school, real life, or even acknowledging mental health, his support has helped and meant a lot.”

When Roman graduates in May, she will earn her high school diploma and associate of arts degree from Western Nevada College. As part of that degree, she also found a new hobby with watercolor painting.

“My favorite class was and is watercolor,” she said, “I've developed a new hobby I can start doing by taking the class.”

Getting to know yourself and enjoy school are both pieces of advice for future students from Roman.

“My advice for a future student is to focus on yourself, as you are the most genuine person you will ever know, and that authenticity will shine through in all your relationships,” she said. “Also, while you’re doing school you will dread it but once you're done, you're going to miss it. I haven't even graduated and it's a big eye opener. Twelve years was long and fast at the same time, but it was worth it.”

Students Inducted into National Junior Honor Society and National Honor Society

Middle and high school students were inducted into the prestigious National Junior Honor Society and National Honor Society groups on Wednesday, April 2. The ceremonies were held at the Fallon Convention Center. 

The National Honor Society inductees were Meirra Cavanaugh, Kaylee Craig, Eli Jones, Emma Lewis, Hazel Mackedon, Jilliana Morales, Caitlin Oyler, AlexZander Sheldon-Davis, Alexis Slupski, and Taylor Sowersby.

National Junior Honor Society inductees were: Samuel Acomb, Pearl Ansotegui , Adley Arritt, Brooke Bennett, Macady Bogdanowicz , Emma Carrasco, Kennedy Chandler, Owen Corbett, Ellie Davis, Sophia Derby, Makayla Dynek, Reagan Farley, Brendalynn Heald, Avarie Hyde, Tensley Johnson, Sophia Kirkland, Ellie Peixoto, Hailey Shawcroft, Khloe Shawcroft, Hadley Tippett, Audrey Blakemore, Greysen Dubois, Eliana Gygax, Tyler Mitchell, Luke Moffitt, Dayana Moran Rodriguez, Kelsey Nall, Katelyn Smith, Dylan Clark, Clayton Hiibel, Greyson Johnson, Aliyah Schleyer-Ashmead