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Happenings
2010 College News!
June 30th, 2010
Congratulations to the 2010 Oakley graduates! This academic year has been full of hard work from our seniors in college planning: beginning with list development, college essays, SAT/ACT preparation, application review, and finally submitting college applications. We had a smaller senior class which enabled Lauren Hansen, the college counselor, to give a more individualized approach to each student. Our seniors have done a lot of work academically, emotionally, and socially and we are so excited to send them off to college in the fall!
Acceptances this year included: St. Mary's College of California, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Eckerd College, Guilford College, University of Colorado, University of Arizona, Oregon State University, Columbia College of Chicago, Queens College of Charlotte, St. Michael's College, Cornell College, Drake University, Catholic University, Mount St. Mary's University, University of Miami, University of Texas, Whittier College, Marquette University, Pacific University, Colorado State University, McDaniel College, University of Denver, Hood College, John Carroll University, Florida Institute of Technology, Champlain College, and many more!
The Oakley staff wishes all of these graduates the best of luck and we have such confidence that these students will do great things in college and beyond!
Oakley School Announces Graduating Class of 2010
June 15, 2010
On June 11th, 2010, The Oakley School Community, along with the friends and families of our 20 Graduates celebrated a significance milestone. Through hard work and perseverance and with a supportive family system behind them, 20 Oakley School students earned their High School diplomas. On a day that was expected to be rainy, we cheered the graduates on under cloudy, but precipitation-free skies, in our traditional setting on the front lawn of the School. Earning recognition at the Graduation Ceremony in the form of the Oakley Award, the Enlightenment Award, The Kerachsky Award and the Explorer Award, were Hanna M, Eltron M and Conner B. Congratulations to the class of 2010!
Guest Speaker Presents at Oakely
Kristine from the Utah Avalanche Center came to campus to present about avalanche awareness in the backcountry. The presentation included a great video which can be seen here.
While Oakley ski and snowboard classes do not venture into the backcountry, many students will continue to ski and ride in the future, and will be tempted by the lure of untracked snow out of bounds and away from the ski resorts. Kristine’s presentation focused on avalanche danger in the mountains and the importance of adequate preparation, knowledge and equipment for backcountry skiing and riding.
October 30, 2009
Sudanese Artist Visits Oakley to Share the Story of His Journey as a “Lost Boy” of Sudan
Oakley students had the honor of working with a Sudanese clay artist, Dominic, on campus this week. Dominic shared his rich cultural history, tumultuous past as a boy in war-torn Sudan, and his life as a refugee after the long walk to Kenya as a seven year old boy. After speaking to the class and a Q&A session, Dominic walked the class through the steps of making Clay Cows. As a boy in Sudan, he would collect clay from the river, fashion toy cows with his friends, and let the clay forms bake in the sun before playing with them.
What an amazing experience to listen and learn from such a strong yet sensitive spirit! We were all truly moved by the day with Dominic. The discussion after the workshop focused on how our Oakley community can help him fulfill his dream of making a difference in the lives of Sudanese children in Dominic’s village.
Oakley students will continue making Clay Cows to donate for a fundraiser at Oakley’s next Parent Workshop in February. All proceeds from the Clay Cow auction will be donated to help educate Sudanese children as well as assist “Lost Boy” refugees in the U.S. to obtain high school and college degrees.
Fall 2009
An excerpt from a Community Service Course Weekend Review:
“On Saturday we had an early departure from school to help out the Mountain Trails Foundation in Park City. We arrived at the trail head at 8:30am, ate some bagels and got our directions. We helped the foundation remove about a half mile of barbed wire fence in the way of a major deer migration path. Students worked efficiently, and we were done by noon.”
See Oakley students recognized and learn more about the Mountain Trails project at website at http://www.mountaintrails.org/
Oakley School Ultimate Frisbee Team Wins Utah State Championship!
The Oakley School Ultimate Frisbee Team returned from the Utah State Tournament with the ultimate prize; a championship. Battling fatigue, the weather and schools with more than fifteen times the enrollment, Oakley came out on top. A grueling five game schedule on Saturday May 30th ended with Oakley emerging victorious. The coed team was coached by Greg D’Eloia who remarked “they gave it their all; everything they had and more.” The team, nicknamed the “Swine Crew” (a play on the recent Swine Flu outbreak) was comprised of seventeen students.
The Oakley School is a therapeutic boarding school located in Oakley, Utah. By offering kids real world options and opportunities Oakley teaches kids to learn from their choices. Many of the kids on the team had never played the sport competitively, yet hoisted the trophy. “It is these types of experiences that make Oakley unique” said Executive Director James Meyer “our kids can do anything when given support, guidance and a chance.” Oakley employs an innovative approach to working with adolescents, one that focuses on structure not restriction, and relationships fostered through a multidisciplinary approach. To learn more please contact the Admissions Office at (435)-783-5001.
College News!
May 2, 2009
This year has been exciting for both the seniors at the Oakley school and the school’s college counselor, who couldn’t be more proud of the work the seniors have done with their college applications. 100% of the seniors that applied to a four-year college were accepted to one of their choice schools.
Acceptances this year ranged from Northwestern University, Fordham University, University of Denver, Westminster College, University of Colorado, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Clemson University, American University, College of Wooster, Goucher College, Penn State, Michigan State, and many more. We are excited to see what the Oakley Class of 2009 will do in college and beyond! Congratulations again to Oakley’s seniors and best of luck!
Support Services for Girls
Spring Update 2009
At Oakley School, we understand that teenage girls often face different pressures than teenage boys. That's why we offer a special "women's empowerment group" that meets once a week as part of the group therapy curriculum.
The women's group is a safe place for Oakley's female student body to discuss self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, body image, communication patterns, and other issues of special interest to them. In a nurturing, non-competitive environment that encourages openness and mutual respect, the students share personal experiences and struggles while offering one another feedback and support.
In addition to talk therapy, the Oakley girls' program incorporates art therapy as an alternative way for the girls to express themselves. Led by a master's level therapist who specializes in women's and family issues, the ladies draw self portraits and family portraits, discuss movies and books about women's issues, and analyze newspaper clippings and magazine articles to explore how women are portrayed in the media. Using a bit of creativity, the girls are able to open up a meaningful dialogue and work through some of the issues they face on a daily basis.
World Class Athletes Are Just "One Jump" away!
March, 2009
Snow sports are a way of life to many students and staff at the Oakley School. On any given winter Monday morning, you can overhear students sharing their experiences, from learning how to link turns on a snowboard to landing a 360 backside without falling and receiving cheers from the other students in the class.
The module program at Oakley allows students to learn or improve on existing skills in a supportive but structured environment. Seven-week programming of 8-hour classes 2 days a week allows the instructor the quality time to teach students about the sport in its entirety. Teaching the technique, volunteering for a local event, mentoring a beginning class, and learning to care for and maintain the equipment are just some of the many teachable examples the module program has to offer.
Students have an unparalleled opportunity to embrace a new skill at the Oakley School, as these classes delve deep into the culture and community that surrounds the sport. This rich experience provides not only a supportive environment to conquer fears or apprehension but also supports personal growth in the most beautiful environment. This teaches students ways to connect social and lifelong healing experiences with nature and the great outdoors we love so much at the Oakley School.
Students enrolled in all levels of skiing and snowboarding at the Oakley School are exposed to many forms of the sport. From the novice to professional competitions, students are introduced to the whole community and lifestyle of the sport. This world class half-pipe hosts some of the best riders and skiers in the world and our students are able to witness their skills up close and personal. From watching the FIS world freestyle ski events to the snowboard slopestyle and half-pipe events, our aspiring riders watch and are able to see first hand how focus, discipline, healthy lifestyle and determination help these athletes succeed in all they do.