The University of Nevada, Reno’s Orvis School of Nursing is bringing nursing education to the Sierra Nevada with the launch of a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University’s Lake Tahoe campus. Designed to prepare nurses for careers serving rural and mountain communities, the program will welcome its first cohort of students in Spring 2027.

The new Lake Tahoe BSN option expands access to nursing education while addressing the growing need for healthcare professionals in rural regions throughout Nevada and the Sierra Nevada. Students will complete the same rigorous, nationally accredited nursing curriculum offered at the University’s Reno campus while gaining specialized preparation focused on the unique healthcare needs of rural and mountain populations.

“This program offers students an opportunity to learn nursing in a close-knit, supportive environment while serving communities that greatly benefit from skilled healthcare professionals,” Julie Sawyer, BSN Track Leader for the Lake Tahoe Campus, said. “Our goal is to prepare nurses who are clinically excellent and deeply connected to the rural and mountain populations they will serve.”

Students enrolled in the Lake Tahoe program will benefit from small class sizes, personalized faculty support and integrated clinical experiences with healthcare partners throughout the region. The Orvis School of Nursing will coordinate all clinical placements and provide transportation to clinical sites, ensuring students receive hands-on experience in a variety of healthcare settings.

“From the Lake Tahoe Basin to the I‑80 corridor, this program transforms nursing education into an adventure in purpose, connection and community impact,” Dr. Shannon Richard, associate dean of Undergraduate Programs, said.

Students admitted to the Lake Tahoe cohort will live on campus at Prim-Schultz Residential Hall and participate in a campus meal plan throughout the intensive program. The residential model is designed to foster collaboration, academic success and a strong sense of community among future nurses while taking advantage of the Lake Tahoe campus’s unique setting in the heart of the Sierra Nevada.

The accelerated 16-month BSN pathway is designed for students who have completed the required prerequisite coursework and are ready to enter the professional phase of nursing education. Applications for the inaugural Spring 2027 cohort will open Aug. 1 and close Sept. 7, 2026. The first class will include 16 students who will begin coursework in January 2027.

Prospective students interested in learning more about the program are invited to attend a virtual information session on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, from noon to 1 p.m. The session will provide an overview of the curriculum, admission requirements, student experience and career opportunities available through the new program. Attendees will also have the opportunity to submit questions in advance.

As Nevada’s oldest nursing school, founded in 1956, the Orvis School of Nursing has a long history of preparing nurse leaders who improve health outcomes across Nevada and beyond. The addition of the Lake Tahoe BSN program advances that mission by creating new pathways for students while helping meet critical workforce needs in rural and mountain communities.

Health & Medicine | May 29, 2026
Kelly Hanlon

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 05/27/2026, Written by Katelyn Welsh

The Incline High School boys golf team continued an undefeated streak at the NIAA 2A Golf State Championships on May 12 and 13, becoming state champions and adding a line to the school’s record books.

Defying windy conditions at the Toiyabe Golf Club, the Highlianders won the tournament 41 strokes ahead of North Tahoe High School for the state title.

“Our boys stayed strong,” head coach Cory Coombes said, “slowed down and played the wind well.”

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Tahoe  Crew is heading to Nationals! Local youth rowers Asher Edwards, a junior at Incline High School, and Kennedy Kelly, a senior at North Tahoe High School, have qualified for the 2026 USRowing Youth National Championships in Sarasota, Florida — becoming the first athletes from the Tahoe region to earn a spot at the prestigious event.

Now, Tahoe Crew is rallying community support to help cover travel expenses for the athletes, their coach, and equipment as they head to the national stage next month. Local businesses and community members can be part of the journey by supporting the fundraiser:  Send Tahoe Crew to Nationals!   Contributors who donate by May 26th have the opportunity to have their name or business logo featured on the team’s commemorative Nationals T-shirt.  Donations of all levels are welcome and appreciated!

It’s an exciting milestone not only for these hardworking athletes, but for the entire Tahoe community — a chance to cheer on two local students as they represent Tahoe on a national stage.

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 5/19/2026, Written by Victoria Mastrocola

A team of four homeschooled girls are celebrating a historic, third-consecutive win after competing in this year’s Nevada State Girls Scholastic Chess Championship. 

The girls competed against all Nevada schools in kindergarten through 12th grade, both public and private, before taking home the trophy– a remarkable feat for team members Kora Ostertag, 12, Acadia Holve, 14, her sister, Alora Holve, 12, and Allisyn Flower, 12.

Eric Ostertag, father of Kora Ostertag, not only coaches all four girls but also serves on the board of the Silver State Chess Association. He is responsible for leading the reorganization of the championship’s qualifier format.

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PHOTO: The championship title marks a remarkable milestone for (pictured left to right) Acadia Holve, Kora Ostertag, Alora Holve, and new team member, Allisyn FlowerVictoria Mastrocola/Tahoe Daily Tribune

Join us this summer for the 42nd annual Summer Arts Workshop!Spend five days in an intensive creative experience, led by internationally recognized sculptors, painters, photographers, and mixed-media artists. Artists of all levels are welcome.  EXPLORE THE SUMMER ARTS WORKSHOPS

Classes are filling up so sign up to reserve your spot in a course! On-campus housing available in limited supply.

Workshops will take place during the following weeks:

JUNE 15-19 JUNE 22-26 JULY 6-10 JULY 13-17

It’s hard to believe, but there’s only one month of school left in Incline—the last day is Wednesday, June 10th.

At Incline High School, the next few weeks are packed with milestone moments for the Class of 2026. The beloved  Senior Parade rolls through town on May 28, giving the community a chance to celebrate our graduates. Prom follows on May 29 at The Chateau, always a highlight of the year. The Personalized Learning Academy will host an Exhibition Night on June 3rd (stay tuned for details about that). And while school ends June 10, Graduation will take place on June 15 at 3:00 PM, on the football field.

Over at Incline Middle School, students are diving into their Fourth Quarter Exploratories, one of the most unique and engaging parts of the school experience. This quarter’s offerings include:

• Culinary
• Jr. Lifeguard Training
• Leadership
• Fiber Arts
• Mountain Biking
• Construction (Bird & Bat Boxes)
• Writing
• Kinder Reading Buddies
• Computer Skills

These hands-on classes continue to build real-world skills while keeping students engaged and excited as the year wraps up.

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 5/8/2026, Written by Victoria Mastrocola

 As e-bikes continue to rise in popularity, the risk of accidents in youth riders is rising with it. That’s why the principal of Incline Middle School, Dan Lediard, is making bike safety a priority for students. 

“In this community, because it’s so small, we see kids behaving erratically on their bikes – not wearing helmets, doubled up on bikes, running stop signs,” said Lediard. “Our whole goal today is to educate, and to avoid future accidents.” 

With the help of the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Renown Children’s Hospital, and the Village Ski Loft Lake Tahoe, three presentations were shown to students grades sixth through eighth on Tuesday, May 5. 

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Lake Tahoe School will receive three plaques for the first time in ten years of competing, with three 2nd place finishes in our division* in the International Math League contest!

The 8th grade placed nine students in the top 50, led by Brooks E. with a 3rd place finish, followed by Jackson G. in 8th place, Vance L. and James W. tied for 13th, Mason G., 20th, and Max F., Andrew M., Grace P., and Harper S. tied for 27th place.

Jack M. led the 7th grade with a 17th-place finish, followed by Iva L. in 19th, Claire H., 20th, Harper D., 21st, and Luke M. in 25th place.

Levi E. led the 6th-grade team with a 10th-place finish; Noah B. placed 16th; Eric I., 20th; Abby I., 29th; Miya L., 31st; and Hawken S., Owen L., and Dixon H. tied for 34th place.

This historic achievement is a powerful reflection of Lake Tahoe School’s dedication to our students’ academic success. By securing three plaques for the first time in a decade, our students have demonstrated that the value we place on a rigorous, supportive education yields remarkable results, even on an international stage. We are incredibly proud to see our students embrace academic challenges with such spirit.

Excellent job by ALL of our Bobcats who participated in the contest!

The Math League contests give over 1 million students an educationally enriching opportunity to participate in an academically oriented activity and to gain recognition for mathematical achievement. The Math League’s primary goal is educational: to promote enjoyment and study of mathematics by organizing contests for grades 4-12.

*Math League Press division participating states: Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 04/24/2026, Staff Report

 The We the People team of constitutional scholars from Incline High School ranked 10^th in the country during last week’s national finals in Washington, D.C., while the team from Reno High School placed first in Division C during the same competition. The two teams from Nevada successfully competed against hundreds of students from across the country during the annual three-day event.

“More than 25 percent of Incline High School’s senior class is involved with We the People this year, and I am extremely proud of how my students have risen to the occasion all year and competed at an elite level,” said Milt Hyams, a social studies teacher at Incline High School who coaches the We the People team. “What makes this group of students special is their teamwork, sincerity, and passion to improve our nation while ensuring that we live up to our core principles of liberty, equality, and justice articulated in our founding documents. Our community and coaches have supported the students every step of the way and the students have responded, growing into thoughtful and engaged members of our Constitutional Democracy.”

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