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.

South High junior Neal Hushbeck placed fifth in the country in an event at the Future Business Leaders of America, Inc.’s (FBLA) National Leadership Conference held in Orlando, Florida, June 24-July 2.

The conference brought more than 12,000 students from across the U.S. together to compete in business-related events. Hushbeck placed fifth in one event after creating a 30-second public service announcement video, presenting it to the judges and describing how he created the video.

Kate Tietjen, South High’s FBLA adviser, said Hushbeck has a passion for the media industry and intends to pursue a career there. 

“He will gain a lot of recognition and possible scholarships from colleges based on his national award,” Tietjen said. “I am so proud of him.”

Fifteen South High students competed in 17 team and individual events throughout the conference.

 McCormick Junior High English Language Arts teacher Katie Wheeler was announced as Laramie County School District 1’s 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year.

She was notified of the award at a surprise school assembly on Thursday, May 9 and will be recognized by the LCSD1 Board of Trustees at their meeting on Monday, May 20.

Wheeler has been teaching for 19 years and has spent her entire career at McCormick. Along with various English courses, she has taught a variety of subjects including honors courses and theatre. In 2021, Wheeler spent time building an academic interventions program before moving back to English.

“Rarely does a teacher of such caliber maintain a consistent record of engagement in student success inside and outside the classroom like Katie Wheeler has done throughout her illustrious career,” McCormick Assistant Principal Derek Peil said. 

Wheeler holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Iowa State University and a master’s degree for teachers of English from the University of New Hampshire. She is an alumnus of the Iowa Writing Project and was named the 2020 National Council of Teachers of English Middle-Level Teacher of the Year.

“Katie builds lasting relationships with students that continue long after they leave her class,” social worker Heidi Pfoor said. “She is constantly seeking out professional development to grow herself as an educator and provide a learning environment that challenges students.”

Beyond her classroom, Wheeler has been heavily involved in extracurricular programs. She has coached cross country, a running club, spelling bee, a young women’s lunch club, young authors, and a book club.

Alta Vista Elementary students were treated to a weeklong visit from Australian performing artist Paul Taylor, who shared Australian and Aboriginal Australian culture through a number of fun games and activities.

Taylor, who describes himself as a storyteller, didgeridoo player and traveler, worked in Alta Vista’s art, music and P.E. classes to introduce the students to many aspects of Australian history, art, music and dance.

Liane McIlwaine, a resource room teacher at Alta Vista, said Taylor was invited to the school to give students an enriching exposure to another culture.

“Paul taught them about how history plays out and impacts our everyday lives,” McIlwaine said. “He showed students how music, art, P.E. and academics can cross-inform and enhance performance in each area, respectively.”

During Taylor’s time there, students made didgeridoos, bullroarers and boomerangs. They also participated in dances and even a makeshift game of cricket.

“The students had smiles on their faces, enjoyed learning new dances and are still singing the songs he taught them,” McIlwaine said.

At the end of Taylor’s visit, students performed these dances for the entire school and for the proud parents that joined the audience.

McIlwaine said the visit was funded by the Laramie County School District 1 Curriculum and Innovative Program Council, the Alta Vista Parent-Teacher Organization and by private donors.

“The students enjoyed the visit with Paul and loved his willingness to share his culture.”

-Story & photo by Brad White