Bighorn Bulletin

Senior Spotlight: Kayden White

For Oasis Academy senior, Kayden White, graduation marks the beginning of a journey defined by service, leadership, and continued growth.

“After graduation, I will be leaving for job training with the Army National Guard,” he said. 

White plans to complete his training with the Army National Guard and return in time to deploy with his unit for about a year. 

“After fulfilling my military commitment, I intend to continue my education by earning my bachelor’s degree at the University of Nevada, Reno, or completing it through online courses,” he added.

In addition to earning his high school diploma, he will also graduate with his Associate of Arts degree from Western Nevada College.

White began attending Oasis in Kindergarten. One of his favorite high school memories was the trip to Indianapolis to compete at the FFA National Convention. 

“One of my favorite memories at Oasis Academy was traveling to Indianapolis to compete at the FFA National Convention,” he said. “It was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to represent my school and create lasting memories.”

When reflecting on his overall experience, he shared how supported he has felt throughout his time. 

“My time at Oasis Academy has been incredible. From the moment I started, I always felt supported. I never felt like I couldn’t ask for help — teachers and staff were always willing to step in when needed,” White said. 

“The school community truly pushes each other to grow and succeed. Overall, Oasis is a school that genuinely wants its students to succeed and will do everything possible to help them reach their goals,” he added.

He is especially grateful to the teachers who made a lasting impact on him. 

“First, Ms. Jackie Bogdanowicz, for always being understanding, energetic, and making class enjoyable,” he started. “Next, Mr. Evan Brandt for explaining things in the clearest way possible and for his honesty, which made learning both effective and entertaining.” 

Finally, he’d like to recognize Counselor Andy Lenon. 

“Mr. Lenon not only taught me in a college class but also supported students as a counselor. He always was available to listen and help, no matter what,” White said.

Mr. Brandt also taught his favorite classes. 

“My favorite classes during high school were math in my freshman and sophomore years. While math isn’t everyone’s favorite subject, Mr. Brandt made it both hilarious and easy to understand, which made the experience memorable,” he said.

During his time at Oasis Academy College High School, he was highly involved in campus life, participating in wrestling, lacrosse, cross country, baseball, basketball, Student Council, and FFA. White was named NIAA 2A Northern League Honorable Mention in baseball for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

White has also excelled in the classroom. He was named to the NIAA All-State Academic team in 2023 for basketball and baseball.

For future students, he offers thoughtful advice inspired by Kung Fu Panda’s Master Oogway:

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift — that’s why it’s called the present,” he quoted.  “Also, live in the moment. Don’t stress too much about things you can’t control. Focus on today, work hard, and enjoy the journey.”

Paper, Perimeter, and Problem-Solving

Fourth graders at Oasis Academy recently turned their classroom floor into a hands-on math lab, bringing geometry to life in an unexpected way.

Large shapes were taped onto the floor — rectangles, polygons, and even an L-shaped figure — and students received stacks of letter-sized paper with a simple task: measuring the area and perimeter of each shape using only the sheets of paper as their measuring tools.

Working in small groups and rotating through each shape, students carefully placed the paper inside the outlines to cover the space without overlapping. As they counted the sheets, they developed a concrete understanding of area as the amount of space inside a figure. 

The lesson then moved on to perimeter. Students lined the sheets along the taped borders, discovering that even if two shapes have similar areas, their perimeters could be quite different. The activity sparked curiosity and teamwork, with students adjusting, recounting, and refining their strategies.

“Students always enjoy using tools to explore their learning, rather than just plugging numbers into a formula on a workbook page or computer screen,” said Rebecca Farley, fourth-grade teacher. “When they’re on the floor discussing the concept and strategizing together, that’s real mathematical thinking happening.” 

“Those are the light-bulb moments — the reason we teach. The excitement, teamwork, and thoughtful conversations showed me that the learning truly stuck,” she said.

Second Graders Research America’s Landmarks

Second graders at Oasis Academy recently learned about research, history, and further developed their writing skills through their U.S. landmarks projects. 

Over the past few weeks, students selected a landmark to research and learned about its location, creator, and historical importance. Projects included the Statue of Liberty, the Space Needle, and Mount Rushmore, among many others.

Using Google Slides, students presented their findings to classmates and families. They explained that the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, welcomes visitors and symbolizes freedom. Presenters of the Space Needle highlighted its construction for the 1962 World’s Fair and its role as an iconic Seattle landmark. Students who researched Mount Rushmore described Gutzon Borglum’s monumental sculpture honoring four U.S. presidents and its significance in American history.

Reflecting on the assignment's broader impact, teachers emphasized the lasting skills students gained throughout the process.

“This project emphasized more than just facts,” Teacher Gabriella Hockenberry-Grimes said. “Students learned how to research, take notes, take pride in their work, and speak confidently in front of an audience.”