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Friday, July 11, 2025 at 1:34 AM
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Bighorn Bulletin -- Update from Oasis Academy

Bighorn Bulletin -- Update from Oasis Academy
Isabella Hockenberry-Grimes, Taylor Hyde, and Trevor Barrenchea

Alumni Feature: Sequoya Casey

Oasis Alumni, Sequoya Casey, will be heading to esteemed Oxford University next spring where she will continue to study politics and philosophy. The 2021 graduate has been attending the University of Nevada, Reno, and is thrilled for the opportunity to study abroad.

“I am unbelievably excited and grateful for this opportunity. Oxford is an international, historical hub for education, especially for my field of study. This prestigious school will lay the foundation for me to pursue a career in law. This will also be an amazing opportunity to immerse myself in another culture and meet new people from around the world, and I simply cannot wait,” said Casey.

Looking to the future Casey would also like to study in Spain. The international experience will help her towards her long-term goal of being an international civil rights attorney, focusing on representing marginalized groups and sexual-assault victims.

“My advice to future students is to push yourself but know your limits. College is difficult but know that you are capable. Know that it is perfectly okay and encouraged to ask for help when you need it, inside and outside of school. Even if it doesn't seem like it now, you are going to be surrounded by people who want you to succeed and who are happy to help you do so,” said Casey about what she would tell future students.

“There's this idea that you aren't truly successful unless you succeed entirely on your own, but that is not the truth at all. Take advantage of your resources: the tutoring center, your school counselors, your professors-- because they will help you,” she added. “Also, a little motivation and some time management are key factors in being a successful student. Seriously.”

Oasis instills in the students that it is a community and help is always available, which Casey appreciated during her time at school. “I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by a multitude of people who helped get me to where I am now. Of course, our counselors, Andy Lenon and Cheryl Venturacci specifically were a huge help, especially when it came to the application process and scholarship season,” said Casey of the support she received.

“I would also love to thank my history and government teacher, former Oasis teacher Mr. William Martin, for being the first teacher to truly push me outside of my comfort zone. It was this teacher who sparked my interest in politics and law, and I know that I would not be on the path I am now without him.”

The alumni, who graduated with over fifty college credits her senior year, started at UNR with two years’ worth of work already completed.

“Just remember to enjoy yourself. Don't sacrifice your GPA, because you are paying for it, but college will be one of the most exciting times of your life. Make new friends, travel to new places, and learn new things. And finally, I would love to thank my family and my friends. My support system. Words cannot express how much you mean to me and how much you have done for me.”

 

Students Build Bridges

Eighth-grade students received first-hand engineering experience building bridges at the end of the semester. Each student was given balsa wood sticks to design and construct their bridge using wood glue. The students researched bridge designs to help with ideas for their bridges.

The bridges were then put to the test. One at a time the bridges were fitted with weights and checked for durability. The winning bridge held almost sixty pounds.

“Our bridge project helps students brainstorm, design, and test their very own bridge. We build these bridges out of very light balsa wood and after construction, we hang weights on them until they break. Some of our best designs held close to sixty pounds. Building these bridges is a fun way to put their math to work to help them design a bridge,” explained teacher Mr. Jake Lewis.

 

Oasis Students and Alumni Make WNC Dean’s List

The 2022 spring semester WNC Dean’s List is out, and several Oasis Academy students and alumni did the work and made the grades. To qualify for the dean’s list students must complete at least twelve units during the semester and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher.

Congratulations to Hunter Arends, Yasmine Barnes, Jelen Rose Bayoneta, Shivam Bhakta, Brayden Blea, Josh Bloomfield, James Cosman, Holden Feest, Nallely Gomez, Grace Griswold, Trevor Halloran, Lauren Halloran, Kaitlyn Hert, Tylie Norcutt, Gracie Potts, Kailyn Sorensen, Arlen Trappen, Brooklyn Whitaker, Sierra Williams, Joshua Youles, Khang Nguyen.

 


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COMMENTS
Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I knew Sam as a member of our church growing up. He always had a warm smile, a kind word, and a great sense of humor! He will be great missed!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:57 AMComment source: Obituary -- Samuel Bruce WickizerComment author: Mike HinzComment text: Great teacher, great coach, but even a better person!!! Rest in peace Mr. BeachComment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:53 AMComment source: Obituary -- Jack Victor Beach, Jr.Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I had Mrs Hedges for First Grade at Northside Elementary in 1969. I still, to this day, remember her as a wonderful teacher…one of my favorites!!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:29 AMComment source: Obituary - Nancy Marie Hedges C Comment author: Carl C. HagenComment text: What are MFNs and PBMs ?? ............................ From the editor: This is a very good question and we apologize for not catching that wasn't in there. We reached out to the writer/submitter and got this info back...hope it's helpful. PBM: Pharmacy Benefit Managers are pharmacies that are owned by insurance companies. (CVS is one.) They negotiate with drug makers to get reduced pricing for medications, but they historically have not passed along those savings to patients. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/pharmacy-benefit-managers-staff-report.pdf MFN: Most Favored Nation pricing is a policy that means a country agrees to offer the same trade concessions (like tariffs or price reductions) to all member nations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). When applied to pharmaceuticals, it could disrupt global access, deter innovation, and obscure the deeper systemic issues in American health care. https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2025/05/22/the-global-risks-of-americas-most-favored-nation-drug-pricing-policy/Comment publication date: 6/23/25, 7:47 AMComment source: L E T T E R TO THE EDITOR
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