Senior Spotlight: Ayden Anaya
Oasis Academy senior Ayden Anaya has attended Oasis since fourth grade. He appreciates the number of opportunities students have at the school.
“I like it here, and I like the plethora of opportunities students are offered,” he said.
The last day of each school year is full of special memories for seniors. "Going home on the last day of school every year is my favorite memory,” he shared with a big smile.
But behind the humor, he shared a deep appreciation for the teachers who have supported him throughout his time at Oasis.
“I would like to thank Ms. Christine Barnhouse and Ms. Melanie Bradley,” he said. “Without them, I would not have made it this far.”
Art has also played a meaningful role in his experience.
“My favorite class I've ever taken is probably watercolor because I love art and I discovered that I love painting with watercolor,” he explained. “I also loved the chill nature of the class. Ms. Jill Oglesbee was a phenomenal art teacher.”
Anaya’s journey at Oasis has been filled with growth, gratitude, and perseverance. His advice for future students reflects that mindset.
“No matter how much you struggle and how dire your current circumstances look, never give up. Even if it isn't visible in times of difficulty, if you endure long enough, you will see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he closed.
Along with earning his high school diploma, Anaya will also be graduating with an Associate of Arts degree from Western Nevada College. He plans to pursue a career in electrical work after graduation.
Oasis Academy Robotics Teams Shine at Weekend Competition
Oasis Academy’s FIRST LEGO Robotics teams put their skills, teamwork, and creativity to the test this weekend.
Both Team Oasis and Team Bighorns represented the school as they competed against 30 teams from across the region. The students showcased months of practice, problem-solving, and dedication as they navigated their robots through complex missions and coding challenges.
Team Oasis delivered an especially impressive performance, finishing second overall in the Robot Games, one of the competition’s most challenging events. It is the first time an Oasis team has placed in the robot portion.
Team Bighorns also had a strong performance, demonstrating steady improvement and excellent teamwork throughout the day. They finished ninth on the robot map portion and showed their core values so well that the presentation and questioning period was shortened.
Coaches Kathy and John Keitz noted that both teams put in countless hours of preparation leading up to the event, fine-tuning their robot builds, testing programs, and learning how to collaborate effectively under pressure.
"It was exciting to see the teams come together and have a great performance in the Robot Games,” Coach John Keitz said. “Both teams remained cool under pressure and made logical and tactical decisions to maximize their score."
The event highlighted not only the technical skills of Oasis Academy students but also their ability to communicate, think critically, and solve real-world problems—core values of the FIRST Robotics program.
Second Graders Create a “Web” of Kindness
Second graders recently participated in a fun, hands-on lesson on kindness and connection. Led by School Social Worker Ms. Kamryn Coulter, students created a giant “spider web” in their classroom using a ball of yarn.
As each student held onto the yarn, they shared one way they can be friendly—such as including others at recess, using kind words, or offering help when someone needs it—before rolling the ball across the circle to a classmate.
“My goal was to give students a visual example of what it means to run with the Bighorn HERD,” Coulter said. “As the web took shape, every student held a strand of yarn, showing that they are all a part of the same community. I emphasized how connected we are—students and staff—and how we learn from one another.”
With each pass, the web grew larger, showing how small acts of kindness can build strong, supportive relationships.
“The activity helped us reflect on how even small actions can strengthen and shape the kind of school community we create together,” she said.
The activity was part of the Oasis Counseling Department’s weekly classroom guidance lessons.
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