Bighorn news: Volunteers, books, and Senior Spotlight

Senior Spotlight: Eneyde Rios

Meaningful memories are just part of what senior Eneyde Rios is taking with her when she graduates this May with her high school diploma from Oasis Academy and associate of arts degree from Western Nevada College.

“One of my favorites from my time at Oasis is a simple one. I was walking into Government class, my sophomore year with newly colored hair,” Rios said. “I remember entering with my COVID facemask on and immediately hearing my name get hollered by teacher Mr. Eric Grimes, ‘Miss Rios, your hair looks amazing, like seriously!"

That compliment would end up showing her a lot about what made her time at Oasis Academy special.

“At the time I didn't view it as anything important. However, I now do. This memory made me think of how welcoming the entire Oasis community truly is. By expressing an incredible consultative and genuine interest in students every day,” she said. “I walk from the main building to Pinion, there and back, and I'm showered with hellos, smiles and how are yous? Which has never once gone unnoticed.”

Another memory occurred her freshman year with softball.

“Coaches Rachel Payne and Brandon Bird took our softball team to Reno for our team bonding. We had a line of events planned, including thrifting outfits for each other, mini golf and a buffet dinner at Atlantis,” she said.

But it was the start of the day that stood out.

“At a local park, after a few tries we successfully got a piñata hung. We all watched Coach Payne get spun, make contact, and a burst of colorful candy spill out,” she said. “That memory includes our tiny nine-player team, sitting in a circle, surrounded by thousands of yellow dandelions. We all sat eating homemade orange marmalade cupcakes with flowers in our hair.

“Thank you coaches for making that day special.”

Rios started at Oasis as a freshman and has been very active in the school. She is or has been an FFA Officer, part of gardening and floriculture, on the We the People team, part of the Virtual Cooking Club, on Yearbook, National Honor Society, plays softball and is part of Student Council.

“I started Oasis my freshman year. It has been an encouraging, maturing, and genuine experience every day. I’m extremely grateful to have so many leadership opportunities arise,” she said.

She has a few teachers she would like to thank.

“I would like to thank Ms. Jackie Bogdanowicz, Mrs. Julie Stockard, and Mrs. Angela Viera,” Rios said. “These women have encouraged me to be myself. They’ve helped me to discover more about who I can be through my strong values and personality. Thank you.”

Mrs. Stockard taught her favorite class.

"I loved English with Mrs. Stockard. From every class roundtable discussion to every new renovation project, Mrs. Stockard had had us engaged. She kept us focused with mindfulness breaks that required us to practice breathing techniques,” she said. “Mrs. Stockard is kindhearted and amazing at valuing different perspectives.”

Her advice for future students is to keep your words and actions positive and be committed to living them out.

After graduation, Rios plans to attend the University of Nevada, Reno and study anthropology. She plans to participate in their study abroad program and is considering Thailand, India and France as options. She wants to become more familiar with the world and cultures around her.

Books for Bighorns

Buster Bighorn and teachers passed out a book and bookmark to every Kindergarten and first grade student on Oct. 5. The Books for Bighorns event helped start National Book Month.

Both the books and bookmarks were donated to Oasis.

"It is important to celebrate books as it helps to promote and develop a love of reading," said Shannon Garcia, Oasis reading specialist. "The kindergarteners and first graders were so excited to receive a fun new book and bookmark and get to see Buster. We are hoping this will be a new tradition at Oasis."

National Book Month occurs annually in October. Reading, writing, and literature are at the heart of the celebration.

Students also received information on the upcoming Oasis Book Fair. The annual fair will be held the week of Nov. 13-16.

Oasis lacrosse volunteers at Tahoe

Oasis Academy lacrosse volunteered at Oktoberfest in Squaw Valley. The event is the High Sierra Lacrosse leagues biggest fundraiser of the year.

“High Sierra Lacrosse has been very generous to our program over the years, providing grants that allow us to purchase equipment,” said Melissa Mackedon, Oasis chief executive officer. “Lacrosse, especially for the boys, can be an expensive sport to buy gear for so these grants really make these programs possible. It was our pleasure to help at their biggest fundraiser of the year.”

Proceeds from events like Oktoberfest help High Sierra Lacrosse give back to local lacrosse programs including Oasis Academy’s. Earlier this year, they provided Oasis teams with a grant for new equipment.