Bighorn Bulletin

Senior Spotlight: Taylor Hyde

As she prepares to graduate, senior Taylor Hyde reflects on a journey that began for her at Oasis Academy all the way back in kindergarten. Her time has been shaped by meaningful relationships, leadership opportunities, and unforgettable moments. 

One of her most cherished memories highlights the close-knit culture of Oasis Academy. 

“One of my most favorite memories at Oasis was when my brother joined me in class for ‘anything but a backpack day.’ He was my backpack,” she said. “He had so much fun goofing around, and my mom let him skip his regular school day to come with me.” 

Having spent her entire K–12 experience at Oasis, she credits the teachers for making a lasting impact. 

“The teachers made every year unique, and I can still vividly remember each and every one of them,” Hyde said. 

She also expressed gratitude to her family, saying she would like to thank her parents.

“I would also like to thank my parents for being there throughout school with unwavering support,” she added.

Hyde’s favorite class was Ancient World History with Mr. Springfield 

“The class had a good dynamic, and everyone connected well,” she explained. 

Throughout high school, she stayed actively involved in both academics and extracurricular activities. 

In the classroom, Hyde has excelled. She is part of the National Honor Society and has been named to the Western Nevada College Dean’s List several semesters. She also finished second on the Trig Star exam in her sophomore year. She will graduate in May with both her high school diploma and an Associate of Arts from Western Nevada College. She then plans to attend the University of Nevada, Reno, where she intends to major in business while remaining open to other areas of study. 

Her extracurricular activities have included serving on the student council and serving as class secretary for three years before becoming a senior representative this year. She was also a dedicated athlete, playing volleyball all four years, earning her varsity letter as a freshman and All-State Academic Team as a sophomore. 

As she looks ahead, she offers thoughtful advice to future Oasis students. 

“Time really does fly. I didn’t believe it as a freshman,” she reflected. “Please live in the moment and cherish your experiences, good and bad, and make as many connections as you can.” 

She also encouraged students to focus on growth and positivity. 

“There is no point in wasting your time and energy in negativity towards others or yourself… take advantage of your circumstances, and build yourself from that every chance you get,” she closed. 

First Graders Take on Equations

First-graders proved that big thinking could come in small packages. As part of the Singapore Math curriculum, students explored how knowing one equation can help solve another—building confidence and a strong foundation in mathematical reasoning.

The lesson centered on a simple but powerful idea: relationships between numbers. Students first learned that 10 − 7 = 3. With that fact firmly in place, they were guided to discover a new equation: 12 − 7. Rather than starting from scratch, students used what they already knew. 12 is made up of 10 and 2. If they take 7 from the 10, they easily know that’s 3, then they combine it with the 2 they still have, so 3 + 2 makes 5.

To make their thinking visible, students used linking cubes, a popular math manipulative. By physically modeling the equations, they could see how breaking apart the 12 made it possible to use their already known fact, 10-7. Students worked together to remove and count pieces, explaining their thinking to classmates and teachers along the way.

The lesson reflects a key principle of the Singapore Math curriculum: emphasizing deep understanding, problem-solving, and connections between concepts. Instead of memorizing isolated facts, students learn to build on what they know.

“We have spent the last three or four years digging deep and working to understand the Singapore approach,” said Kim Sorensen, Math Specialist. “I am amazed at the conversations and reasoning that are being used in classrooms to discover math.” 

Sorensen added how visual learning tools, like cubes, help students better understand and enjoy math. 

“I love watching our teachers using manipulatives consistently, despite the challenge. For many kids, it’s the first time they can really see the math. When that happens, students are more apt to apply it - and they even find that they enjoy doing it,” she said.

Photo: First-graders use linking cubes to model equations and share their math ideas. Back Row L-R: Kennedy White, Eliana Lienhardt, Reign Piersons, Isabella Merritt, Ali Montgomery, River Bennett, Andrew Coombs, Front Row L-R: Isabella Martinez, Rylee Steele, and Zoey Hyde.

Students Discover Symmetry Through Art

First-grade classrooms explored the concept of symmetry through a hands-on art project featuring winter mittens. Combining math, art, and imagination, students designed their own paper mittens, each one carefully created to show symmetrical patterns.

Symmetry, the idea that one half of an object mirrors the other, can be challenging. However, the mitten project was a perfect way to make this idea both visible and fun. By folding their mitten shapes in half and decorating both sides to match, students could clearly see how symmetry works.

As students added shapes, lines, and winter-themed designs, they learned that symmetry is an important tool artists use to create balance and beauty. The project also encouraged careful observation, planning, and attention to detail, as students checked that both sides of their mittens matched.

Beyond the art room, students discussed where they might see symmetry in everyday life, such as butterfly wings, faces, buildings, and even letters of the alphabet. These conversations helped students realize that symmetry plays an important role in how the world is designed and understood.