Bighorn Bulletin

Senior Spotlight: Ryder McNabb

Oasis Academy senior Ryder McNabb has been at Oasis Academy since kindergarten. His connection to the school has been an important part of his development.

“Attending Oasis since kindergarten has been an incredibly positive experience and has played a major role in shaping who I am today,” he said. “I am grateful for every moment and wouldn’t change a thing.”

The 12 years at the school also brought the senior many fond memories and strong relationships.

 “One of my favorite memories from my time at Oasis Academy is playing football games on the playground,” he recalled.

The senior also expressed appreciation for an educator who supported him along the way. 

“I would like to thank Ms. Jackie Bogdanowicz for making a meaningful difference in my life and for making my high school experience more enjoyable,” McNabb said.

His favorite class, FFA, was taught by Ms. Bogdanowicz. 

“FFA was my favorite because it was highly interactive and offered hands-on learning opportunities,” he explained.

McNabb has excelled both in the classroom and on the field. Academically, he is a member of the Oasis Academy Chapter of the National Honor Society and has been named to the Western Nevada College Dean’s List multiple semesters and has earned his FFA State degree. 

For his outstanding performance on the field, he earned NIAA 2A North All-League First Team honors in baseball in both 2024 and 2025. He was also named to the NIAA All-State Second Team in baseball in 2024 and elevated to the NIAA All-State First Team in 2025. In football, he received NIAA 3A North All-League Second Team recognition in 2025 and was a starter on this year’s Churchill County High School state championship team.

When he graduates in May, he will have earned both his high school diploma and Associate of Science degree from Western Nevada College. He leaves with clear career goals in a field that he loves.

“After graduation, I plan to start my own taxidermy business, launch a hunting channel, and work toward becoming a professional guide,” he said. 

McNabb has sound advice for future students. 

“Never take these moments for granted and make the most of every opportunity,” he said.

Kindergarteners Dig Into Groundhog Day Traditions

On February 2, kindergarten students celebrated Groundhog Day and got a bit of suspense as they learned all about the famous winter tradition.

The week began with students reading nonfiction text about Groundhog Day and learning facts about groundhogs, their habitats, and why people look to them for a weather prediction each year. With the knowledge they gained, the students will create their own nonfiction books about groundhogs. They started this project by designing the covers for their books.

Along with learning facts about the animals, students also made predictions about the Groundhog Day outcome. Each student cast a vote on whether the groundhog would see his shadow. The class worked together to graph their predictions, practicing math skills as they shared their guesses.

The anticipation continued as students watched to find out the groundhog’s official prediction. Although many had hoped for an early spring, the groundhog saw his shadow to predict six more weeks of winter. The news was not met with the most enthusiasm, as the students were hoping for an early spring. PHOTO: Teacher- Supathcha Bonds, Caidey Franks, Michael Parsons, Rosalee Smith, and Alexis Hill participate in Groundhog Day activities at Oasis Academy.

Students Participate in Second Annual History Day

More than 300 community members filled Oasis Academy on Thursday, Feb. 5, for the school’s second annual National History Day Showcase, an evening that highlighted weeks of student research and inquiry, creativity, writing, and critical thinking.

The showcase featured over 150 projects created by students in fifth, seventh, and eighth grades, all centered on this year’s National History Day theme, “Revolution, Reaction, and Reform.” Students explored historical moments, movements, and individuals who instigated change, presenting well-developed historical arguments supported by in-depth research and primary sources.

Students were given the freedom to choose their own topics of personal interest and how they presented their learning, with projects taking the form of exhibits, podcasts, documentaries, posters, and websites. Each format allowed students to creatively communicate their ideas while demonstrating historical understanding and strong research skills. 

Throughout the evening, visitors engaged with students as they explained their topics and the historical significance of those topics.

Select projects from the showcase will advance to the regional National History Day competition, with opportunities to continue to the state level and ultimately the national competition. Last year, Oasis Academy had four student projects advance to the national competition in Washington, D.C.

The event was coordinated by teachers Kelly Nott, Tamara McNeill, Jen Blakemore, Jessie Bourdeau, and Amber Revels, whose leadership and dedication helped guide students through the extensive research and project development process. Their efforts, along with strong family and community support, made the evening a celebration of both academic excellence and student voice.

“National History Day gives our students a chance to really dig in and think like historians,” said Kelly Nott. “They research using lots of different sources, ask big questions, and learn how to back up their ideas with evidence.”

“Along the way, they build empathy for people from the past and get to tell those stories in creative ways, like documentaries or websites. I see the students thrive when they’re given choices and the freedom to explore topics they genuinely care about,” Nott closed.