Students Participate in National History Day Regional Competition
Students from Oasis Academy once again made an impressive showing at this year’s National History Day Regional Competition in Reno, with participants from fifth, seventh, and eighth grades earning top honors across multiple categories.
This year, 50 Oasis Academy students qualified to compete at the regional level. While a few students were unable to attend due to prior commitments, students made a strong showing in representing the school.
In preparation for the competition, students worked diligently to revise and refine their projects from the school’s National History Day Exposition on Feb. 5, dedicating time outside of regular school hours to research, edit, and strengthen them. Their commitment paid off, with several students earning podium finishes in highly competitive divisions.
Fifth Grade Results:
In the Youth Individual Poster Division, Rayden Dubois earned third place for his project, The Donner Party.
Junior Division Results:
Junior Individual Website
1st Place: Blake Brandenburg – Publius for the Constitution
Junior Group Website
1st Place: Jackson Frey, Kenton Horn, and Sawyer Schank – Drop it to Start: Modern Warfare and the Atomic Bomb
2nd Place: Abel Hernandez and Jacob Pilarski – The Second Battle of Ypres and the Prohibition of Chemical Warfare
3rd Place: Jake Nichols, Luke Moffitt, and Tyler Mitchell – Middle Eastern Border Redraws After WWI
Junior Group Exhibit
2nd Place: Nicky Sorensen, Owen Massey, and Cole Wood – From Open Skies to TSA Lines: The Remaking of National Security After 9/11
3rd Place: Janie Irving and Raegan Warren – Man’s Best Friend: The Story of Sergeant Stubby
Junior Individual Exhibit
3rd Place: Mayu Steinbaugh – The Fukushima Daiichi Accident
All of the above-mentioned students qualified for the digital state-level competition held later this month. We are so very proud of our Bighorn History Herd.
Senior Spotlight: Trevor Layton
Oasis Academy senior Trevor Layton is preparing to launch a career studying aerospace engineering when he graduates in May with both an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Applied Science Technology degree in Welding from Western Nevada College, along with his high school diploma.
“I aspire to attend an aerospace engineering college, where I hope to delve into propulsion systems,” Layton said. “This area fascinates me, especially in understanding how rockets propel themselves miles into the sky.”
Beyond engineering, he is also channeling his creativity into writing. He is currently working on a book series titled “Titans,” which he hopes to publish in the future.
Looking back on his time at Oasis Academy, one memory stands out.
“One of my favorite memories from my time at Oasis Academy was participating in the Julius Caesar movie project in Mr. David Springfield's class,” he said. “Collaborating with my classmates to create props was a highlight for me.”
Layton was shy and nervous, and said he pushed himself to participate in the project
“I was determined to be part of the project, opting for a supporting role instead of a main character who would be on camera most of the time,” he said
Projects like the Julius Caesar one are why Ancient History was his favorite class.
“I enjoyed it because of the engaging activities, such as the Julius Caesar movie project and the castle builder activity,” he said. “The castle builder activity was especially meaningful. It allowed me to express my creativity while trying to protect my castle from the others.”
He credits Mr. Springfield for making the class memorable.
“Mr. Springfield made the class enjoyable by incorporating humor into our projects and keeping quizzes manageable,” Layton explained.
His journey at Oasis Academy began in his freshman year of high school.
“Initially, I had a few friends and wasn't well-known throughout the school, but I focused on making my mark,” he explained.
That opportunity came during his sophomore year when he joined the student council. By the end of the year, he was elected student body vice president for his junior year—a role he has now held for two consecutive years.
“I worked hard to make that school year active and enjoyable, though I felt limited by my role,” he reflected. “Now, as the student body vice president for my second year, I hope to leave a lasting impact on the school before I graduate.”
As he prepares to graduate, he also wants to leave advice for underclassmen, and there is one person he’d like to thank for his help along the way:
“First, don’t be lazy during your freshman year—complete your work before the deadlines,” he advised. “Procrastination can lead to failing a class, which can heavily impact your future course load.”
He also emphasizes the importance of staying organized.
“Whether it's a calendar, planner, or a simple list of due dates for the week, having a structured approach can prevent missed assignments,” he closed.
“Finally, I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude to Mr. Andy Lenon,” he said. “He has been a supportive presence since the beginning of my high school journey and continues to make a positive impression on the school. Despite his busy schedule, he always finds time for me, and I truly appreciate his guidance and encouragement.”
FFA students attend Winter Leadership Training in Mesquite
By Sadie Whitaker
On Feb. 25-26, 14 members of the Oasis FFA chapter attended Winter Leadership Training in Mesquite, Nevada. WLT focuses on teaching FFA members leadership skills to use both within the FFA organization and in their school communities.
At WLT, FFA members from across the state competed in Leadership Development Events such as Creed speaking, Prepared public speaking, and Extemporaneous public speaking. They also attend engaging conferences focused on developing leadership skills and helping students network from different chapters. Over 15 chapters attended from across Nevada.
For the Oasis FFA Chapter, Kinsley Viera competed in creed speaking, Taylor Sowersby competed in prepared public speaking, and Katie Varain competed in extemporaneous public speaking.
“WLT is an amazing opportunity for our students to enhance their leadership skills and meet students from other chapters,” said FFA advisor Jackie Bogdanowicz. “I’m proud of Kinsley, Taylor, and Katie for putting the time and effort into their speeches and representing Oasis FFA.”
The group is also grateful for the time and travel of their parent chaperones, who drove students and attended the event.
“We would also like to thank our chaperones, Angela Viera, Alyssa Sowersby, and Jenna Whitaker, for making sure we made it to and from Mesquite safely and making the trip fun,” Bogdanowicz said.
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