Stacie Bogdanowicz takes a selfie with Rochelle Tisdale, Oasis Academy College Prep’s chief academic officer, at last week’s graduation.
Photo by Steve Ranson.
The crackling of lightning dancing around the valley May 25 was nothing more than one of several encores for the 31 graduates from Oasis Academy College Prep.
Many of the 31 students who received their diplomas at the iconic Barkley Theatre during the evening ceremony also walked across the stage earlier in the day. Twenty-three students who belonged to the dual-enrollment Jump Start program earned a two-year degree from Western Nevada College.
Rochelle Tisdale, the academy’s chief academic officer, said the graduates expanded their career paths and by the end of their final semester at Oasis, had amassed more than $700,000 in scholarships.
Tisdale said many graduates return to Oasis Academy to reinforce the education they learned at their former school.
“They know how to talk to professors. They know how to handle college and they’ve been successful,” she said.
The students in this year’s class also received acceptance from many universities in the West. Tylie Norcutt takes her rodeo skills to Texas Tech University, where her older sister has been competing. The majority will be attending a university either in Reno or Northern California.
Norcutt said she was standing before her class as a co-valedictorian to support his year’s graduating class.
“It is my honor to be one of your student leaders here today,” she told her classmates.
Norcutt explained her confidence when she entered the school as a freshman, but she added the courses became harder each academic year. She took six college-level classes during one of her semesters and struggled.
“I absolutely hated it,” she said.
Norcutt persevered and relied on the confidence she developed as one of Nevada’s top high-school rodeo athletes. She thanked the staff for their dedication for ensuring their students were ready for the next step.
“This school has pushed me to work harder and to be the best I can be,” she said. “I’m grateful for the opportunities Oasis Academy has given me.”
Co-valedictorian Casamaro White has attended Oasis for his entire education. He thanked the teachers for giving him and the other students opportunities and thanked the parents for their unwavering support.
White said it seems as though his classmates graduated two years ago when they began studying the college classes and earning university credit. From there, they focused on their future or the next step. The closeness of the students weighed on White.
“As high school ends, don’t be afraid to reach out to each other,” he said.
The two co-valedictorians warmed up their classmates and guest for this year’s keynote speaker, Cheryl Venturacci, an educator who spent her first 21 years with the Churchill County School District and retired when she became eligible. Venturacci commended the students for their hard work and diversity.
“So many of the students are working close to full-time in the local community,” she said.
Venturacci said she hopes the students remember the message they carry, one of achieving success and happiness.
Tisdale praised Venturacci’s dedication to Oasis Academy and to her students.
“You’ve made such a big impact on all of us,” she said.
Tisdale announced to the audience it’s the senior class that chooses the featured speaker.
According to Oasis Academy, the graduating seniors have been accepted into University of Nevada, Reno, Texas A&M, Montana Western, Western Welding Academy, UNLV, Boise State University, College of Idaho, Northern Arizona University, Texas Tech, University of Colorado-Denver, Xavier University, Minot State University, Grand Canyon University, University of Arizona, McPherson College, Academy of Arts University and SCAD Academy of Art.
Two students will be joining the military.