Bighorn Bulletin

Three Oasis Academy Students Advance to National History Day Competition in Washington, D.C.

Three students from Oasis Academy are advancing to the National History Day Finals Competition in Washington, D.C. The students have earned this achievement by their projects advancing through school, regional, and state-level competitions. Jacob Pilarski, Abel Hernandez, and Blake Brandenburg will now travel to Washington, D.C. to compete against top students from across the country.

The theme for this year’s projects is Revolution, Reaction, and Reform. Students were able to choose a topic fitting the theme and select a presentation method, including a paper, website, documentary, display board, and oral presentation.

Brandenburg qualified as an individual with a website focused on the United States Constitution.

Pilarski and Hernandez worked together on a group website, combining their efforts to produce a well-developed website focused on chemical warfare in World War I, with a focus on the Second Battle of Ypres. This marks a notable accomplishment for Pilarski, who also qualified for nationals last year with a paper entry.

The students will be accompanied by one of their teachers, Kelly Nott, and will spend five days in Washington, D.C. During their time in the nation's capital, they will not only compete but also take part in educational and cultural opportunities, including meeting with Nevada's U.S. senators, visiting many of the Smithsonian and other area museums, touring national monuments, Mount Vernon, and attending a Washington Nationals baseball game at Nationals Park.

Nott has also been named Nevada's Junior Division finalist for the National History Day Teacher of the Year award. As Nevada's representative, she will join finalists from every state and international schools for consideration for the national honor. The winner of that award will also be announced during the competition.

This marks the second consecutive year that Oasis Academy students have qualified for the national competition, underscoring a growing tradition of excellence in historical research and academic competition. Their achievement highlights months of dedication, collaboration, and perseverance, and represents a significant milestone for the students, their teachers, and the school community.

D&D Club Concludes Year with Final Campaign Celebration

The Dungeons & Dragons Club at Oasis Academy recently held its end-of-year celebration, marking the conclusion of a year filled with imagination, collaboration, and storytelling. The event brought together all participating groups for one final, large-scale session in which students joined forces to face a common in-game challenge.

The club, which includes more than 30 students in grades 5 through 12, has met weekly on Tuesdays since the beginning of the school year. Designed as an inclusive space for students of different ages and experience levels, the program has fostered a unique community built around creativity, problem-solving, and shared storytelling.

The final session served as both a culmination and celebration, as students worked together to complete their last campaign adventure. Alongside the gameplay, students enjoyed pizza, treats, and time to reflect on the year's experiences, friendships, and memorable moments from their campaigns.

"We are deeply appreciative for the volunteer Dungeon Masters (DMs) who dedicated their time each week to planning adventures, guiding gameplay, and supporting student participation," said Shannon Garcia, K-6 Vice Principal. "Their commitment made it possible for students to consistently engage in rich, structured storytelling experiences throughout the year."

Beyond the game itself, Dungeons & Dragons helps students develop valuable skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, communication, creativity, and leadership. Through collaborative storytelling and problem-solving, students learn how to strategize, adapt, and work together toward shared goals.

First Graders Shine a Light on Science

Oasis Academy first-grade students recently explored the fascinating world of light through a hands-on science lesson. Using flashlights and a variety of everyday materials, students investigated how light travels through different objects.

As part of the activity, students learned to identify the differences between transparent, translucent, and opaque materials. They shined flashlights through items like water bottles and paper to observe how much light passed through each object. Students discovered that transparent materials allow most light to pass through, translucent materials let some light through, and opaque materials block light completely.

The engaging experiment gave students the opportunity to practice observation and critical thinking skills while learning important science concepts and vocabulary. Through exploration and discovery, first graders gained a better understanding of how light interacts with the world around them.