The Oasis Academy Class of 2022 celebrates by throwing their caps in the air after Thursday’s graduation ceremony.
Photo by Thomas Ranson.
Thomas Ranson/LVN
The Oasis Academy Class of 2022 celebrates by throwing their caps in the air after Thursday’s graduation ceremony.
When Lisa Swan arrived at Oasis Academy College Prep seven years ago, she saw the group of sixth graders and knew greatness awaited them.
As they entered high school, she became more involved with this class of students. From student council to athletics, including coaching the girls lacrosse team, Swan witnessed the Class of 2022 grow into successful students who amassed more than $1.5 million in scholarships. As she gave her keynote address during Thursday’s graduation ceremony in front of Pine Hall, Swan looked at the class of 36 and recited part of a former Navy SEAL admiral’s speech about accomplishing one simple task to begin your day and how it leads to multiple successes.
“So, as you graduate, as you deal with your excitement and your doubts today, I urge you to try to create the world you want to live in by starting your day with that one small task of making your bed,” said Swan, the school’s assistant athletics director and student council advisor. “This will lead to bigger tasks, and many successes. Be bold, be brave, be you and go do great things as we all believe in each and every one of you.”
Completing the first “normal” school year since they were freshmen, this year’s class completed several college classes with a majority earning their associate’s degree from Western Nevada College earlier in the day. Twenty-four finished the year with honors, accumulating at least a 3.26 grade-point average.
As sophomores, OACP moved to distance learning after spring break because of the pandemic’s onset. Sports were canceled two weeks into the season as the school worked during spring break to set up a plan to finish the year. Last year saw hybrid learning, a mixture of in-person and distance learning, coupled with abbreviated sports and extracurricular activities.
“This class of ‘22 has undoubtedly been one of the most amazing and successful classes in high school history,” said co-valedictorian Maiya Swan who preceded her mother’s keynote speech. “The fact that we are seated here today with these awards and accomplishments is just a testament to our determination and our commitment to excellence. It is clear to see that every single one of us has put in the time and work to earn our seat here, and we couldn’t have done it without you all here today. I can proudly say that we have all grown into strong, intellectual individuals.”
Thomas Ranson/LVN
Oasis Academy senior Kailyn Sorensen, one of three co-valedictorians, speaks during Thursday’s graduation ceremony.
In her co-valedictorian speech, Kailyn Sorensen talked about the class coming from different backgrounds and working together on projects in experiencing the highs and lows of school. From broken hearts to not getting the perfect grade on a challenging assignment, the experiences, Sorensen said, will benefit her fellow students beyond high school.
“While we have learned many valuable things in schools concerning math and chemistry, it is these experiences in and outside of the classroom that have prepared us for the real world,” Sorensen added. “These experiences teach us how to talk, communicate with people and solve hard problems. Going forward our problems may change, but the way we solve them will remain the same. The way we deal with difficult people, our character and personalities were forged in the fire of school and have made us the people who can stand here today ready to accept our diplomas.”
In addition to Sorensen and Swan delivering their co-valedictorian speeches, Tayler Felton spoke in a pre-recorded message. Felton was competing in the high school state rodeo finals in Winnemucca.
Oasis Academy senior Kaitlyn Hert sang to kick off the evening followed by Donald Schank’s invocation before Principal Rochelle Tisdale welcomed the graduates and their guests.
