CHEYENNE, Wyoming: On Sunday, April 21, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the Surbrugg/Prentice Auditorium on the LCCC campus, Cheyenne, the Wyoming Congressional Award Council (WCAC) held its annual ceremony to honor and celebrate youth from across Wyoming who have earned their Congressional Award Medals. The Medals are earned by the participants, and must be presented by a U.S. Member of Congress from Wyoming. This year, Senator John Barrasso presented Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Medals to twenty-eight (of the thirty-four) youth who were approved to receive their medals this year.

Senator Barrasso was joined by honored guests, Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray and Dicky Shanor, Chief of Staff, Wyoming Department of Education, and an inspirational keynote speaker, Dave Denniston. Prior to the ceremony Medalists and their families enjoyed a buffet breakfast at the LCCC Dining Hall. While other guests were being seated, the Medalists had the unique opportunity to meet Senator Barrasso and ask questions about The United States Senate Page Program and becoming an intern.

The Wyoming State Medal Ceremony was not the only activity offered over the weekend. Medalists and their families participated in a voluntary service project at the Cheyenne Animal Shelter, and had a behind the scenes tour of the Wyoming State Capitol provided by Wyoming District 07: Senator Stephan Pappas, and Wyoming House District 43: Representative Dan Zwonitzer. Saturday had a shocking and cool ending at the Cheyenne Country Club with an ice cream social and Dan Jaspersen, Magician/Mentalist.

In addition to comments from advisors for the young people, a full list of Congressional Award Medalists from Wyoming and which medals they earned is available at the WCAC website.

ANY young person ages 13.5 – 24 may participate in this program. To earn The Congressional Award, participants must meet certain requirements in four program areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness and Expedition. For more information about the requirements see the program book at https://www.congressionalaward.org/prospective-participants/

About Wyoming Congressional Award Council (WCAC): The Wyoming Congressional Award Council was officially established on October 8, 1983 and is a non-partisan, non-competitive, and non-religious organization that supports Wyoming youth (and their advisors/mentors) as they pursue The Congressional Award. In 1979, late Senator Malcolm Wallop (R-Wyoming) and Congressman James Howard (D-New Jersey) wrote “The Congressional Award Act” bill as a way to recognize initiative, service, and achievement in young people. Later that same year, enabling legislation (Public Law 96-114) established The Congressional Award as a private-public partnership, and The Congressional Award Program officially began. Wyoming remains the only state to have a council to support their own youth participating in the program.

For more information about The Congressional Award or the Wyoming Congressional Award Council please check out the following websites: https://www.congressionalaward.org/ and https://www.wycongressionalaward.org

MEDALISTS BY COUNTY

Albany County

Tyler Gale, Laramie High School, Bronze Medal and STEM Star

Sam Harshberger, Laramie High School, Bronze Medal and STEM Star

Laramie County

Thomas Audley, Cheyenne East High School, Bronze, Silver, Gold Medals

Jorja Carter, Cheyenne Central High School, Bronze Medal

Reagan DeBall, Cheyenne Central High School, Bronze Medal and STEM Star

Jonnina Edmunds, Colorado State University, Gold Medal and STEM Star

Alina Eklund, Burns High School, Bronze Medal

Shiriah Eklund, Burns High School, Bronze Medal

Axie Elsasser, Cheyenne Central High School, Bronze Medal

Wilson Flack, Virtual School, Bronze Medal

Taylor Nicole Frauendienst, Cheyenne Central High School, Bronze, Silver Medals

Kami Jae Harris, McCormick Junior High School, Bronze Medal

Shelby Hoobler, Cheyenne East High School, Silver Medal

Ellese Klaassen, Cheyenne Central High School, Bronze Medal

Matthew Klaassen, Cheyenne Central High School, Bronze Medal

Caleb Miller, Cheyenne East High School, Silver, Gold Medals

Elise Newton, Cheyenne Central High School, Bronze Silver, Gold Medals and STEM Star

Kinzley Nusbaum, Burns High School, Silver Medal

Bella Polk, Homeschool, Silver Medal

Vesper Seitz, Cheyenne East High School, Bronze Medal

Aubrey Smedley, Brigham Young University, Bronze, Silver, Gold Medals

Ava Taylor, Cheyenne Central High School, Gold Medal

Tyler Trimble, Cheyenne Central High School, Bronze Medal

Loriana Walter, Cheyenne East High School, Bronze, Silver Medals and STEM Star

Lincoln County

Kallianne Toomer, Utah Tech University, Bronze, Silver Medals

Sublette County

Cambry Jenks, Big Piney High School, Bronze, Silver, Gold Medals

Seren Noble, Pinedale High School, Bronze, Silver Medals

Sweetwater County

Cooper Rubich, Rock Spring High School, Bronze Medal

Michael Rubich, Rock Springs High School, Silver Medal

Isabell Salas, Green River High School, Bronze, Silver, Gold Medals

Teton County

Aidan Kim-Miller, Jackson Hole High School, Gold Medal

Jackson Neishabouri, Jackson Hole Classical Academy, Bronze, Silver, Gold Medals and STEM Star

Hunter Steven Sabat, Homeschool, Silver, Gold Medals and STEM Star

Greyson Smith, Jackson Hole Community School, Gold Medal