Bighorn news: Manpower of Northern Nevada donates $5,000

Manpower of Northern Nevada recently donated $5,000 to be used toward the purchase of vans for Oasis Academy’s co-curricular activities.

Manpower owner Mike Harrigan has long-time roots in the Fallon area and knows the value of education and the value of extracurricular activities that schools offer.

“Manpower is dedicated to helping within the communities that we serve. Fallon is an important part of our service area and is also a special place as it is where I grew up and still have family. We are happy to help schools and nonprofits like Oasis Academy fill critical needs,” said Harrigan.

“Oasis Academy is working towards purchasing a few vans. We are so grateful for the support of our community, and especially Manpower who has made such a significant contribution. Their generosity means hopefully having these vans in the near future,” said Oasis CEO Melissa Mackedon.

According to their website, “Manpower is the premier staffing agency of Northern Nevada. Our mission is to provide comprehensive workforce solutions to our clients and satisfying careers to candidates.”

The company also offers comprehensive payroll services. To learn more about Manpower call Amber Bixby at 775-575-5550.

Oasis welcomes teacher Tamara McNeill

In her 10th year of teaching, Tamara McNeill is excited to be joining Oasis as a fourth-grade teacher. McNeill previously taught at Fernley High School and Fernley Intermediate School.

“I am very excited to continue my career with the Oasis Academy. I have heard so many great things about the school and I am proud to be a part of it. Go Bighorns,” said McNeill.

She is bringing a love of travel to the school and with that a program she helped make successful in Fernley.

“Working with EF Tours, I have brought students to Europe while teaching at Fernley High School. I’m excited to bring this opportunity with me to Oasis. July 2024 students can join me on a trip to Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England,” she said.

“My favorite part about teaching is reaching students with ideas and concepts. When those ideas really click, and I can see a light go on in their eyes, and they truly understand, that makes it all worth it.”

Impacting students is part of the job she loves.

“I had a high school student for several classes. She was a good student and earned good grades,” she said. “I liked her, but I had always thought I fell short with her because she always kept her distance. She graduated and went off to build her life. About two years later, I was in my classroom, and she came through my door. I greeted her happily, and she even gave me a hug. She told me she had come to thank me and that I had helped her get through high school. She felt I had really cared for her, and it made all the difference for her. I learned then that you just never know the impact you have on people, and what they remember about you.” she said.

McNeill is married with a stepson. They also have a menagerie including dogs Minion, Emmett, and Ringo, parrot Darwin, jumping spider Benjamin, tarantula Tilly and a flock of chickens.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing fantasy stories, playing video games, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and rooting for the San Francisco 49ers and her favorite player George Kittle. She started a book club with a friend the group meets once a month. McNeill also hosts DJ Trivia in Fallon.

From Hogwarts to ‘Peanut Butter Geology’

Oasis Summer Enrichment Camps began July 11. The first week of classes included a Harry Potter Class, beginning Spanish, Science Camps, Cookie Decorating, and more.

“Students spent three days learning about erosion and plate tectonics in the Our Changing Earth Science Camp. They utilized a stream table, contrasting water’s effect on sand with and without ground cover; blow dryers to simulate wind on soil and sand, with the same conditions; and then completed the week by studying plate tectonics, after which they practiced the different earth processes using peanut butter and jelly geology. It was a fun and interesting week,” said teacher Nancy Williams.

“So far in the Harry Potter Camp, the students have all loved being sorted in their Hogwarts houses, competing for the House Cup, learning to duel, and creating fun creative writing pieces including short stories, poetry, and creating new spells,” said teacher Jennifer Blakemore.

To learn more about the Enrichment Camps call 775-423-5437.