Oasis Elementary student Gianna Salisbury is a published author. The now fifth-grader recently had an article she wrote describing her first hunt published in the Nevada Bighorns Unlimited Journal.
Salisbury’s article, “My First Hunt,” details her experience hunting javelina in Arizona in February 2022 with her father. Javelina are pig-like animals in the southern United States and South America.
“I wanted to get a tag because it's in our blood. I have gone several times with my dad when he gets tags,” Salisbury said. “We always have fun, and I was ready for my own hunt. He’d already taught me a lot, so that made the Hunter Safety Class easier. Because you have to be 12 in Nevada to hunt, we looked into hunting in Arizona, and I drew the tag.”
The father-daughter duo took the 11-hour drive to her designated hunting area near Bagdad, Arizona. They spent a couple very rainy days scouting the area.
“We spent a lot of time glassing or using the scope to look for the javelina,” she said. “We would see several bedding spots, where they lay down, and tracks, but no animals. Then, on the way back from a supply run, my dad suggested stopping at this one spot. The rain had cleared and after a hike up a hill, we found javelina.”
There she shot and hit her target.
“I shot him, and he instantly smelled. The smell was horrible! We field dressed it and we are now enjoying javelina meat. I was excited to be able to provide meat for my family. It is really good to eat!”
The potent odor came from the scent gland located on the animal’s rump. The gland is used to mark their territory. And while the animal may smell, the actual meat smells and tastes great. The family cooks with it and so far has made delicious green chile verde served with tortillas.
“I recommend hunting for kids because it’s a fun activity that gets you outdoors with your family and you get to make wonderful memories,” Salisbury said.
Her article appears in Volume 39, Number 2 of the NBU Journal or is available online at https://nevadabighornsunlimited.org/..
Mackedon and Tisdale appear on Nevada Newsmakers
Oasis CEO Melissa Mackedon and Chief Academic Officer Rochelle Tisdale appeared on Nevada Newsmakers this week. They were interviewed by Fallon native Rachel Dahl.
The pair of administrators discussed charter schools and common misconceptions surrounding them. Including that the schools are free public institutions, report to a board, and have strict state oversight including site visits, an academic framework, organizational framework, and a financial framework.
Perhaps more exciting though was the discussions surrounding programs and opportunities that Oasis offers students, recent testing outcomes, and upcoming projects. Including building a new facility for Oasis Academy College Prep students on the old Venturacci Ranch.
“It was a privilege to be asked to appear on the show,” Mackedon said. “I’m so proud of the Oasis Academy staff and students, it’s always great to be given an opportunity to brag about how great they are, and of course I will take every opportunity to dispel charter school myths.”
“We are excited to be able to offer our students their own high school,” Tisdale said. “We have been housed with the kindergarten-eighth grade and currently on the Western Nevada College campus, which we are very grateful for, but to finally have our own building will give the student body ownership of the campus. It will also establish an even stronger camaraderie among the students and staff.”
View the complete interview at http://www.nevadanewsmakers.com/video/default.asp?showID=3663.
Holden Feest
Senior Spotlight: Holden Feest
Senior Holden Feest has a busy senior year ahead of him as both Student Body Secretary and part of Oasis’ Chapter of National Honor Society. He also volunteers regularly at Fallon Daily Bread and works as a city intern at Fallon Convention Center.
Feest has been attending Oasis since it first opened in 2011.
“I have had many different teachers who all helped and cared about my education,” Feest said. “I have been met with support and a safe environment at Oasis Academy. I’ve also made some great lifelong friends during my time here.”
That time has included memorable moments including pizza Thursdays, class trips to the park or movies, and touring college campuses during eighth grade.
“I would like to thank Mrs. Janet Renfro, my eighth-grade teacher,” Feest said. “She helped me throughout that year and showed that she really cared about not only me, but the whole class. She also taught one of my favorite classes, Eighth Grade Projects. I learned so many things in her class as well as in Reading with Mrs. Amy O’Flaherty. Mrs. Renfro and Mrs. O made the classes super fun which really made learning easier,” added Feest.
“My advice for future students would be don’t be jerks and listen to your teachers. Show them respect because it’s just as hard for them as it is for you.”
Graduating in May with his high school diploma and his Associate of Arts from Western Nevada College, Feest plans to continue his education at the University of Nevada, Reno. He is undecided at this time what major he will focus on in his undergraduate studies but looks forward to branching out and getting some experience in different career fields through his college classes to choose one that is best suited for him.
He is grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the Jump Start program because it allows him to be two years ahead of the game which will give him the time, he needs to explore different majors and not feel like he's moving backward while determining his focus of study.
