On April 8, 2018, Jaylee McEwen was in the last quarter of her eighth-grade year when she suffered a traumatic brain injury. The injury left her unable to return to Oasis Academy that quarter and led to both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. The now senior has shown with hard work and determination a person can overcome anything. Starting Oasis in the fourth grade, McEwen said, “I have always liked the small atmosphere of the school and the support given to my family and I when it was needed the most.” This season she is excited to be back on the basketball court after three years of not playing. She serves as both the team point guard and one of two team captains. Besides playing basketball, her favorite memories of her time at Oasis are in FFA with teacher Jackie Bogdanowicz. “Ms. B will always be my favorite Ag teacher and I thank her for getting me more involved in FFA,” McEwen said. Along with Bogdanowicz, McEwen also wants to thank Counselor Andy Lenon.
Jaylee McEwen
“Mr. Lenon has helped me so much these last few years of high school, and he has always been someone that I could talk to when needed. Both Mr. Lenon and Ms. B have been very supportive of me and pushed me to be a better student and person. “The staff and students along with the community rallied around me and my family during this time. I would like to say that I am 100 percent back to normal but is there truly such a thing as normal? I have lasting side effects that over the course of time I have learned to cope with and overcome.” she continued. “I would like to take this opportunity and say thank you once again to Oasis, the staff, the teachers, the coaches, the students and the parents that took the time to support me and my recovery because of all of you I have been successful and happy to say I am proud to be an Oasis Bighorn.” In addition to her school activities McEwen is also a member of the Nevada High School Rodeo where she team ropes with a fellow Oasis student Tylie Norcutt. Her advice for fellow students? “My best advice to fellow students is: Stay up on your work, listen to your mom, but most of all enjoy every moment of high school because it's true what they say it flies by.” “Jaylee is one of the most resilient students I have had the opportunity to work with at the Oasis Academy. Her story is inspiring, and it was so awesome to see an entire community rally behind her and the family,” Counselor Andy Lenon said of Jaylee. “Getting to be a part of her journey here at Oasis is truly something special to me. She just has the best attitude and goes about her day with a smile, optimistic attitude, and some awesome hunting stories.” McEwen will graduate in May with both her high school diploma and associate degree from Western Nevada College. This fall she will begin studying at the University of Montana Western in Dillon and work towards a bachelor’s degree in Ag Business and Horsemanship. The degree is one more step toward her dream job of being a livestock officer.
Keily Ugalde
Ugalde heading to State Spelling Bee Spelling is not usually the favorite for most people, but for sixth-grader Keily Ugalde it has become a serious sport. Ugalde began her spelling career participating in a spelling bee in third grade and won first place. This year she was prepared for the Oasis Spelling Bee on Jan. 6. She finished first among sixth graders, allowing her to compete in the District Bee on Jan. 27. Ugalde won the sixth-grade group for the district and now heads to Las Vegas to compete in the State Spelling Bee on March 26. “Keily Ugalde Coronado was a well-deserved winner of the sixth grade spelling bee at the CCMS District Spelling Bee,” said Spelling Club advisor Lauren Kelly. “She attended our weekly spelling club before she competed in our school's spelling bee. I feel this extra practice helped her be ready for the big show. During the bee, Keily was able to maintain composure and spell the hard words when she needed to. Her winning word was intolerance. I wish Keily Bighorn luck at the State Spelling bee coming up in March.” “I’m so proud of my daughter,” said Luz Ugalde, Keily’s mom. “She spent countless hours practicing and preparing to compete. As an English as a Second Language speaker, it was hard for me to practice with her, but she was determined. She is truly a great kid.” Oasis will be raising funds to help cover travel costs for Ugalde and her family. To donate contact Angela Viera at aviera@oasisacademyfallon.us.
Jaylee McEwen
Keily Ugalde