Bighorn news: Yearbooks and Senior Spotlights

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: ANNA SPRINGFIELD

Two trips to the happiest place on Earth with Oasis Student Council are graduating senior Anna Springfield’s favorite memories from her years at Oasis Academy.

“I have made so many lifetime memories at Oasis, but it's hard to compete with going to Disneyland twice for Student Council leadership retreats,” Springfield said. “I had a blast each time and enjoyed the opportunity to get to know the people in our council better.”

Springfield is one of the eight students graduating this May that started at the school as a kindergartener in Oasis’ opening year in 2011.

“I have had the opportunity to witness the school change and grow. I would never have expected to attend the same school my entire life, but I can truly say that it has been an incredible blessing and has paved the way for an amazing future,” she said.

That amazing future she credits to a few educators along the way.

“There have been so many incredible teachers at Oasis who have impacted my life and grown me as a person,” she said. “I would first like to thank Mrs. Marsh, my kindergarten teacher, for creating an incredible classroom environment of fun and learning. Even though I was young, her high expectations and encouraging spirit taught me that I could accomplish great things through hard work.”

Springfield said she would also like to thank Mrs. Amy O'Flaherty.

“Her teaching style gave me an intense appetite for learning and grew my love of school. Additionally, she taught me the fundamental writing and critical thinking skills that have served me throughout high school,” Springfield said. “Lastly, I would like to thank Mr. Andy Lenon. He truly has gone above and beyond to get to know me and give me all the tools I need for success. His guidance has been invaluable in the process of applying to colleges and scholarships, and I wouldn't be where I am without him.”

Her favorite class was the dual enrollment Biology 190 class with Dr. Gary Evett at Western Nevada College.

“I've always had a love for science, but it wasn't until taking this class that I discovered just how amazing it was. Although the class was extremely rigorous, I was able to learn valuable study skills which made me into the student I am today,” she said. “This class was hard work, but my enjoyment of the subject made the hours of studying worth it. Lastly, this class has given me the confidence and desire to pursue Biology as my degree in college.”

Springfield has been very active in school activities during her thirteen years at Oasis. She has played on the lacrosse team and is currently the student body vice president.

“Student Council has been a very pivotal part of my high school experience and I have learned so many valuable lessons through it,” she added.

Springfield will graduate in May with her high school diploma and her associate of arts degree from Western Nevada College. In the fall she will attend the University of Nevada, Reno and plans to earn a bachelor's degree in biology.

Her advice to future students was given to her by her parents.

“I would like to pass down the advice that was given to me by my parents and that has blessed me as a student,” she said. “Do hard things. High school is a great time to push yourself and develop disciplines that will form the foundation for the rest of your life. Nothing worth doing is easy and most often it is the things that stretch you the most that produce the best rewards. You will never look back and regret working hard in high school and that hard work will pay off.”

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: BRYAN MENDOZA

A place that fosters curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. That’s how graduating Oasis Academy senior Bryan Mendoza described the school he’s attended since his freshman year in 2020.

“The school's dedication to providing a holistic education experience has truly stood out to me,” Mendoza said. “One of the aspects I cherished most about my time at Oasis was the emphasis on hands-on learning and exploration. Whether it was through project-based assignments, experiential learning opportunities, or engaging discussions, every day presented a chance to delve deeper into subjects that intrigued me.”

He also knows that the latitude he was given in pursuing his interests helped develop him into the person he is.

“The freedom to pursue my interests while being supported by passionate educators was invaluable and something I deeply appreciated,” he said. “Overall, my time at Oasis was nothing short of transformative. It not only provided me with an exceptional education but also instilled in me a love for learning and a set of skills that I continue to carry with me beyond graduation.”

Exploring your interests is also part of Mendoza’s advice for future students.

“My advice would be to embrace exploration and curiosity. If you're unsure about college, that's perfectly OK. Take the time to explore your interests, try out different activities, and engage in various experiences to discover what truly ignites your passion,” he said.

Mendoza’s favorite class was Mr. Evan Brandt’s math classes.

“There were several reasons why math stood out to me. Firstly, Mr. Brandt's passion for mathematics was infectious; his enthusiasm for the subject was palpable in every lesson, making even the most complex concepts feel approachable and exciting,” he said.

Mr. Brandt became a mentor for the senior as well.

“Beyond the classroom, Mr. Brandt was not only a dedicated educator but also a mentor who genuinely cared about his students' growth and well-being,” he added. “Mr. Brandt went above and beyond to support his students. As someone who already loved mathematics, Mr. Brandt's class further fueled my passion for the subject.”

Along with his time in the classroom Mendoza also played on the Churchill County High School soccer team. The rewarding experience kept him active and developed his teamwork skills, discipline, and sportsmanship skills.

Mendoza will graduate in May with his high school diploma and Associate of Arts degree from Western Nevada College. He then plans to attend the University of Nevada, Reno.

“I plan to pursue my passion for computer science at UNR. My primary goal is to immerse myself in the vibrant academic community there,” he said.

This includes being involved in the activities within his degree field that the college offers.

“Beyond the classroom, I aim to actively engage in various extracurricular activities related to computer science, such as joining coding clubs, participating in hackathons, and attending other clubs that have my interest,” he said.

Mendoza will not forget Oasis Academy and what it has meant to him.

“Oasis truly holds a special place in my heart as the best educational experience I've had, and I'll always look back fondly on my time there,” Mendoza closed.

YEARBOOKS ON SALE NOW

Kindergarten through eighth grade and high school yearbooks may now be purchased at the front office of either the main building or the high school.

Yearbooks are produced through the yearbook elective classes with the help of an advisor. The kindergarten through eighth grade yearbook advisor is Mrs. Juliana Acomb and the high school yearbook adviser is Mrs. Amy Arends.

The classes are responsible for taking photos throughout the year, coming up with a theme for the yearbook, creating captions for photos, the layout of the yearbook, and proofreading the yearbook. The process starts immediately when school begins.

To learn more about purchasing a yearbook call 775-423-5437.