Bighorn Bulletin

Oasis Celebrates Nevada Reading Week

Students, families, and staff at Oasis Academy came together to celebrate Nevada Reading Week with a series of engaging events designed to promote a love of reading and literacy. The week featured the Scholastic Spring Book Fair, a family-focused Literacy Night, and a fun dress-up day in which students arrived at school dressed as their favorite book characters.

Throughout the week, the Scholastic Spring Book Fair gave students the opportunity to explore new titles and discover stories. Classrooms visited the fair during the school day, while families had a chance to browse and purchase books together before and after school.

One of the highlights of the week was the first annual Literacy Night, which welcomed parents and students to campus for an evening focused on building reading skills in fun and practical ways. Families participated in interactive games and activities that demonstrated reading strategies parents can use at home to support their children’s literacy development.

A special moment during the evening was a read-aloud session led by Vice Principal Shannon Garcia, joined by the beloved school mascot, Buster Bighorn. Students gathered eagerly to listen to the story, creating a memorable experience that celebrated the joy of reading.

The celebration concluded with a dress-up day on Thursday, where students showed their creativity by dressing as their favorite book characters. 

Oasis Academy would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff members and parent volunteers who worked behind the scenes to organize both Literacy Night and the Scholastic Book Fair. Special thanks to teacher Melinda Santos and Reading Interventionist Sara Peixoto for coordinating Literacy Night and Katherine Rule for coordinating the Book Fair. Their time, dedication, and enthusiasm helped make Nevada Reading Week a meaningful and memorable experience for students and families alike.

Senior Spotlight: Daniel Anderson

As graduation approaches, senior Daniel Anderson is looking back on his time at Oasis Academy with gratitude, humor, and a few unforgettable moments. Anderson started at Oasis in eighth grade, and the transition from middle school to high school brought big changes in his school experience. 

“I started Oasis in the eighth grade, and it was pretty boring,” he said. “Then my first two high school years were fun, and my last two years have been the best moments of high school.”

Many of his favorite memories came from participating in FFA, which he also said was his favorite class. 

“FFA was my favorite class because it is always just a fun class with funny things happening,” he said. 

One of those things is the class’s lively conversations. 

“Some of my favorite moments in FFA are when students start talking about random things, and Ms. Jackie Bogdanowicz has to step in and shut it down because it's funny,” he said.

That’s part of the reason Ms. B is his favorite teacher, too.

“I would like to thank Ms. B for always being such a funny, engaging teacher,” Anderson said. “I love her classes.”

Another teacher played a critical role during a frightening moment in his freshman year. In health class, Anderson began choking on a water bottle cap. 

“I choked on my water bottle cap,” he recalled. “Mr. Andy Lenon performed the Heimlich maneuver on me, and it flew right out. I would like to thank Mr. Lenon for saving my life in health class when I was a freshman.”

After finishing high school, Anderson plans to continue his education by pursuing a commercial driver’s license. 

“I'm going to continue to go to school and get my CDL for future jobs,” he said. 

As he prepares to move forward, the senior also has advice for younger students. 

“Just stay on top of work and talk to teachers if you need anything; they'll be happy to help,” he closed.

Senior Spotlight: Rusten McKnight

Oasis Academy senior Rusten McKnight has been at the school for over a decade, starting in first grade. The senior is looking ahead to college while reflecting on the people and experiences that helped shape the path forward.

Despite the typical challenges of school life, the student said the Oasis environment fostered a strong sense of community. 

“Throughout my time here, I've noticed how, despite the obvious social circles and occasional drama, everyone has been friendly with everyone else within the academic environment,” he explained. “My class has really been that way, and it has shaped the reason why I chose certain paths in my life.”

Some of the most meaningful moments from the student’s time at Oasis were not tied to events but to people who offered support during difficult times.

“It's not a specific memory, but during one of the most difficult times of my life, one of my biggest supporters was Counselor Andy Lenon, and I'm very grateful for that,” McKnight said.

Another teacher who left a lasting impact was Ms. Jackie Bogdanowicz, a science and ag teacher.

“Ms. B has been my favorite teacher since I was in her ag class in middle school. She was always engaging and fun to be around,” he said. “Even when she is frustrated, she tries to make sure that class is a positive experience for everyone.”

Academically, one unexpected class stood out during senior year. The student recalled initially doubting whether he would enjoy the music appreciation class.

“I didn't think it was going to be a fun class, but we were actually able to learn some music theory,” he said. “It was really exciting for me because it was something I was struggling with as a self-taught musician.”

Outside the classroom, the senior stayed active in a variety of extracurricular programs. Over the years, McKnight participated in Oasis’ archery program, played soccer for Greenwave, and was involved in Oasis FFA. The student also participated in 4-H and even took on a leadership role.

“Outside of school activities, I've participated in 4-H, and I even was able to be a leader/teacher for a 4-H guitar club, which is the reason I'm hoping to get my teaching degree,” he explained.

As the graduate prepares to move on to college, there is one piece of advice he hopes younger students will take seriously: prioritizing mental health.

“Take hold of your mental health; the more you struggle, the more you'll fail,” the student advised. “Don't be afraid of psychologists or therapists … it’s useful just to talk to a professional.”

McKnight knows caring for mental well-being can make a major difference in both academic success and overall happiness.

“I promise you'll do so much better in school and be so much happier with your life if you are able to take hold of your mental well-being,” the student said.

McKnight will be graduating in May with both his high school diploma and his Associate of Arts Degree from Western Nevada College. He then plans to attend the University of Nevada, Reno, to earn a teaching degree and an engineering degree through the NevadaTeach program.