Milo Gurule, head custodian at Freedom Elementary, has been selected for the Laramie County School District 1 Board Employee Spotlight for the month of January. He will be recognized on Monday, Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. in the Storey Gym Boardroom, 2811 House Ave. 

Gurule has been a valued member of the custodial team since 2002, consistently going above and beyond in his role. Supervisors note that they can always rely on him to assist at other buildings, confident that he will treat each one with the same care and attention as his own.

Gurule is known for being willing to assist whenever and wherever help is needed. 

Brendan Inkster, band director at McCormick Junior High, was selected as the 2024 Outstanding Young Music Educator of the Year for the Wyoming Music Educators Association (WMEA). 

According to WMEA President Michael Jaycox, this award recognizes a WMEA member for distinction in music education and is made for young teachers that have made an exemplary contribution to the music experience of their students.

“Although early in his career, Inkster has demonstrated skills that rival those of veteran teacher”, Jaycox said. 

Inkster will be formally recognized at the WMEA State Conference in January. 

Laramie County School District 1 Nutrition Services Smart Spoon Café is hosting a recipe contest for students. The contest is divided into two age groups: Junior Chef (kindergarten through sixth grade) and Iron Chef (seventh through 12th grade).

Recipes will be judged based on common ingredients, ease of preparation in school kitchens, visual appeal, flavor, nutrition and cost. Three finalists from each group will be selected by Feb. 14. Finalists will then prepare their recipes for a panel of judges on Feb. 26. The winning recipes will be featured on school lunch menus in May.

Recipe guidelines are as follows: 

• The recipe must be an entrée containing grains and proteins.
  
• Ingredients must include exact measurements, with at least three items from the common ingredients list (one must be a protein).
  
• Recipe should be cookable in one hour or less.
  
• Step-by-step preparation instructions are required.
  
• Include the number of servings the recipe yields.
  
• Recipe should be low sodium, low fat and may be adjusted to meet USDA guidelines.
  
• Optional: Include a photo or drawing of the completed dish.
  

For a list of approved ingredients, contact Smart Spoon Café at smartspooncafe@laramie1.org.

All entries must be submitted by Jan. 13 via mail or email:

Mail: 3320 Maxwell Ave.

Email: smartspooncafe@laramie1.org

Twelve members of the team received the SkillsUSA Statesman Award at the conference. 

This award is a prestigious recognition presented to members who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of SkillsUSA’s mission, values and framework. Recipients exhibit knowledge of the organization’s history, structure and the significance of its emblem components. They also showcase leadership skills and a commitment to personal and professional development.

This is the first year SkillsUSA Wyoming has offered this award, making South students the first LCSD1 students to receive it.

The recipients of the award are Abby Chavez, Abigail Belknap, Jack Boose, Jaelyn Brown, Araya Feazell, Hannah Fisher, Forrest Heschke, Keely Henderson, Ziva Shank, Keegan Potter and Evan Van Kirk.

According to East High Speech and Debate Coach Marcus Viney, the team showcased exceptional talent, with students earning a record-breaking 25 individual first place finishes—an achievement that highlights their hard work, dedication and skill.

Individual results are as follows:

Emma Andrews, Semifinals Drama, Semifinals POI

Taylor Grace Byers, tied for 1st Novice LD, 4th Novice Info

Donovan Carll, 1st Novice Extemp

Sadie Casey, Semifinal Duo, Semifinals Oratory

Cadie Cooper, 5th Novice Congress, tied for 1st Novice LD

Leila Cuthbert, Semifinals Novice Impromptu , 3rd Novice Oratory

Bridget DeMelfi, 5th Duo, 5th POI, 4th Poetry

Madi Dyl, 6th Duo, 7th Info

Bri Elwood, 5th Poetry

Ethany Frint, tied first 1st Novice LD

Mikkel Gortel, 5th Info

Ella Golwitzer, 1st PF

Lillian Gonzalez, Semifinals Novice Impromptu, 2nd Novice Extemp, 2nd Novice Duo

Addison Goodman, Semifinals POI, 4th Drama, 2nd Humor

Uriah Graham, Semifinals Duo

Rebekkah Greenwalt, Semifinals Oratory, Semifinals Impromptu, 1st PF

Damien Harwell, 6th Novice Humor

Jared Haynes, Supers Congress, 1st PF

Samantha Jordan, 1st Drama, 5th Duo

Carter Kennedy, 1st Novice Congress

Ellie Kerschner, Semifinals POI, 1st Oratory, 2nd Humor, 4th Info, 2nd Duo

Layla Kling, 1st Duo, 3rd POI

Finn Knepper, Semifinals Extemp, Semifinals Impromtu, 1st PF,

Natalyia Kopak, 7th Congress, 5th LD

Austin LaVanway, Semifinals Drama

Joselyn LaVanway, 1st Novice Poetry, 2nd Novice Drama

Danica Lees, Semifinals Oratory

Raeley Lind, 2nd Novice Humor, 1st Novice Info, 1st Novice PF

Maci Little, Semifinals Oratory, 6th Duo

This collaboration aims to simplify the process of finding appropriate support, offering 24/7 assistance to those in need. Care Solace connects users with a large network of providers, including options that accept various insurance plans, Medicaid, Medicare and sliding scale fees for those without insurance.

The Wyoming Department of Education is sponsoring this service and making it available to school districts across the state. 

With parent permission, LCSD1 counselors, social workers and psychologists are using Care Solace as a tool to help families find support.

The process for using this resource includes three steps: 

1. Screening: Users will complete a brief screening form online or by phone to provide basic information about their needs. 
2. Matching: Care Solace will seek providers, present at least two options and assist with appointment scheduling. 
3. Follow-up: After appointments, Care Solace will check in to ensure satisfaction and continue the search if needed. 

Care Solace’s services are confidential and provided at no cost. 

For more information, call 888-515-0595 or visit caresolace.com/lcsd1. 

East High School’s SkillsUSA team earned the title of Reserve National Champions in Chapter Business Procedure at the national contest in Atlanta, Georgia. The team qualified after winning the state championship in April. 

Team members include Callie Rosner, Cierra DiCamillo, Bradley McCurdy, Regan Allen, Brody Medina and Hannah Schick. 

Currently, Dr. Thomas serves as the deputy assistant director for the United States Marshals Service in the Prisoner Operations Division in Arlington, Virginia. Over his 27-year career, he has held various impactful roles, including juvenile probation officer with the City of Cheyenne’s Office of Youth Alternatives, probation and parole officer for the Wyoming Department of Corrections, and deputy sheriff with the Laramie County Sheriff’s Department.

Dr. Thomas holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, a master’s degree in government business relations, and a PhD in public policy and administration with a concentration in criminal justice. His education demonstrates a commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, justice and community service. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Thomas has focused on ensuring public safety, safeguarding the judicial system and supporting the law enforcement community. His dedication to these principles exemplifies the spirit of service that Central High School aims to inspire in its students.

In June, Davis attended Girls State leadership camp in Cheyenne, where she received training on her responsibilities as an American citizen. During her time there, she was selected as one of Wyoming’s two representatives at Girls Nation.  

Girls Nation took place in July in Washington, D.C., where Davis joined students from across the country for a mock Senate session, gaining an in-depth perspective on the national government.

School counselor Justin Roadifer and social studies teacher Erin Lindt supported Davis through her application process for these opportunities. 

The students stayed with host families in Mende, France; attended French school, and visited many important historical and cultural sites around France.

Sarah Evans, Central High’s French teacher, said the students were almost fully immersed in the French language during this time.

“It gave students a tremendous opportunity to use their learning in a real-world setting,” Evans said.

While absorbing French culture, the Central students also shared the culture of Wyoming with French students. Four hundred French students attended their “Wyoming Day” event, during which they received gifts from Visit Cheyenne, the Wyoming Historical Society, the Wyoming State Museum and the Laramie County Library. Members of the Central High cheer squad taught cheers and group dances.

The tour of France continued Central High’s partnership with Lycée Chaptal, a school in Mende. Lycée Chaptal students were hosted by Central High families in Cheyenne last year, and the Central French students hope to continue building ties with their French partner students.

Two students, Ryan McNees and Saimaa Widi, were selected to receive $2,000 scholarships for their travel experience from the Société Honoraire de Français, a national French honor society organization that Central has hosted a chapter of for the last six years. They were two out of nine total award winners from the United States this year.

“We are grateful to Central teachers, parents and administration for their ongoing support of this unique opportunity for our students,” Evans said.