Chris Burke, who is a junior at Triumph High, was selected as Laramie County School District 1’s Student of the Week for the week of April 22.

He was nominated by the selection committee for his academic drive and exceptional talent. He is described as an excellent student who always models Triumph’s Discovery skills and consistently produces high-quality work.

According to members of the selection committee, Burke has demonstrated high-level ability in a multitude of areas including mathematics, science and chess.

He maintains a GPA of 3.2 and is on track to graduate a year early. After graduation, he plans to attend Laramie County Community College to pursue a career in welding.

Burke selected Spartan Academy teacher Brett Tyrrell as his favorite teacher because he is supportive, helpful and friendly to his students.

Autumn Tupuola-Jones, who is an eighth grade student at Johnson Junior High, was selected as Laramie County School District 1’s Student of the Week for the week of March 25.

Tupuola-Jones was nominated by the selection committee for exemplary academic standing and extracurricular involvement. She maintains a 3.83 GPA and is a starting shooting guard for the Johnson girls’ basketball team. Off the court, Tupuola-Jones is involved in the Calvary Chapel of Cheyenne Youth Ministry as a student helper.

Tupuola-Jones is looking toward her future with plans to be a crane operator, but she has not ruled out the possibility of an academic or athletic scholarship. If she were given the opportunity to secure either of these scholarships, she would like to major in interior design at Florida A&M University or Florida State University so that she could be closer to her family and southern culture.

Tupuola-Jones selected science teacher Anna Groose as her favorite teacher because Groose inspires her students to learn and explore the world around them.

Abigail Hoard, who is a senior at Central High, was selected as Laramie County School District 1’s Student of the Week for the week of Feb. 12.

Hoard was nominated by the selection committee for being a well-rounded student who excels in all that she does. She participates in AP classes and challenges herself with dual enrollment courses offered through LCCC. She maintains a weighted GPA of 3.945 and has taken a variety of elective classes including Spanish, marketing and agriculture.

According to the selection committee, Hoard embodies kindness, hard work and dedication. She has been described as an authentic young lady who models a myriad of positive attributes. Hoard has been consistently recognized for these attributes by her school community, who believe that she is very deserving of recognition.

She is an active and successful member of DECA and FFA. After graduation she plans to attend college in Nebraska or at the University of Wyoming to earn a degree in animal science.

Hoard selected agriculture teacher Thomas Cress as her favorite teacher because he constantly provides support to his students and is a very positive influence.

Giovanna Spezzano, who is a junior at Triumph High, was selected as Laramie County School District 1’s Student of the Week for the week of Jan. 15.

Spezzano was nominated by the selection committee for being a hardworking, engaged student with excellent attendance. She is innovative in her approach to her school projects and has consistent follow-through to take her ideas to completion. Spezzano has been described as creative, reliable and thoughtful by staff at Triumph.

She participates in Triumph’s student council and the school’s art club.

Outside of school, Spezzano plays lacrosse for a travel team and is also on a mountain biking team. She helped paint the collaborative high school street mural during the summer and set up an art display at the Wyoming State Museum for a project. Spezzano’s patience and kindness toward her teachers and classmates also shines. She is a kind person who sees the best in others.

Spezzano selected mathematics teacher Marissa Smith as her favorite teacher because she is very helpful and kind, and she supports students when they are feeling down.

Carlee Wedemeyer, who is a senior at South High, was selected as Laramie County School District 1’s Student of the Week for the week of Jan. 1.

Wedemeyer was nominated by the selection committee for being an academically outstanding and responsible student. She has maintained an unweighted GPA of 3.922 and a weighted GPA of 4.275 throughout high school. She has also taken numerous AP courses, alongside dual-enrollment courses offered through LCCC.

She is active in girls’ basketball and soccer as well as a Bible club that she helped create.

According to her teachers, Wedemeyer demonstrates Honorable, Enthusiastic, Responsible and Determined (HERD) expectations at school and beyond. She has been an integral part of the Bison Bistro coffee shop, working as an employee and training her peers. She is dependable, trustworthy and a student who others can look up to.

Wedemeyer selected culinary arts teacher Terri Weaver as her favorite teacher because she is easy to get along with and has high expectations for her students.

Hayven Pigg, who is an eighth grade student at Johnson Junior High, was selected as Laramie County School District 1’s Student of the Week for the week of Dec. 11.

Pigg was nominated by the selection committee for being an exemplary student and a role model for excellence. She possesses a detailed work ethic and has a near perfect attendance record. Pigg is currently serving as the secretary for Johnson’s National Junior Honors Society.

She can be found excelling in the classroom, court and field as evidenced by the three letters that she has earned through volleyball, basketball, and track and field.

Pigg selected geography teacher Karen Perez Sapien as her favorite teacher because she pushes students to do their best and is an inspiration to those she teaches.

Kamron Johnson, who is an eighth grade student at McCormick Junior High, was selected as Laramie County School District 1’s Student of the Week for the week of Nov. 27.

Johnson was nominated by the selection committee for being a hard-working, respectful student. He invests time into his learning, asks smart questions, and shapes the classroom culture through exemplary behavior. He also enjoys math and finds it to be an area of strength for him. Despite moving to Cheyenne during the first quarter of the school year and still getting familiar with a new school and community, Johnson has already made significant contributions at McCormick.

Outside of the classroom, Johnson enjoys riding dirt bikes with his Dad and building or repairing cars and go-karts. He enjoys staying active through hunting, basketball, football and working out.

Johnson selected English teacher Kathrine Wheeler as his favorite teacher because she is kind and makes learning and writing easy to understand.

Trent Simmons, who is an eighth grade student at Carey Junior High, was selected as Laramie County School District 1’s Student of the Week for the week of Nov. 13.

Simmons was nominated by the selection committee for being an exemplary student at Carey. According to his teachers, he has consistently shown amazing effort in the classroom. He has maintained straight A’s in all of his classes and has shown great success in the after-school sports that he is involved in.

Simmons displays his leadership skills in all that he does. He can often be found helping his classmates, keeping both himself and others engaged in their learning. He maintains a positive attitude and goes above and beyond to help those around him. Simmons is an amazing student who always does the right thing, even when nobody is looking.

Simmons selected mathematics teacher RaeAnn Merry as his favorite teacher because she is an incredibly fun teacher that is always willing to help students with any problems that they may have.

Matthew Wallace, who is a senior at Central High, was selected as Laramie County School District 1’s Student of the Week for the week of Oct. 30.

Wallace was nominated by the selection committee for his extracurricular involvement and academic achievements at Central High. According to the selection committee, he is a kind, respectful, empathetic and hard-working student.

Wallace is an active member of JROTC and participates in JROTC Raider, color guard and drill. He has been awarded the Special Forces Association Medal for JROTC due to his exemplary behavior. He is a mentor for other students and plans to join the U.S. Army after high school.  

Wallace’s favorite teacher is Sgt. Maj. Roger Harder. According to Wallace, Harder has helped him develop leadership skills and has been a role model who is always available to support him.

Ty Bronder, who is a 12th grade student at East High, was selected as Laramie County School District 1’s Student of the Week for the week of Oct. 16.

Bronder was nominated by the selection committee for his academic achievements and extracurricular involvement both at East and in the community. He maintains a highly ranked GPA, takes Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses and dual enrollment classes at Laramie County Community College (LCCC).

Bronder is part of the East orchestra, swimming team, 4H and Air Force JROTC. He’s held several leadership positions in the AFJROTC, including temporary flight commander, flight sergeant, commander of the second color guard, and currently is the E flight commander. Bronder has earned 17 different awards and ribbons in the program and has completed community service hours at various events.

Bronder has been the president of the 4H club for the past five years and has earned champion ribbons in dog obedience, agility, rally and showmanship.

In his free time, he enjoys participating in professional mountain biking competitions and volunteers at the Habitat for Humanity store, COMEA Shelter and the Cheyenne Animal Shelter. His involvement with the community doesn’t end there, Bronder assists in running the Downtown Runaround project, is a member of the Mayor’s Youth Council and is currently employed as a ground keeper at the Prairie View Golf Course.

Bronder has applied to the Coast Guard Academy and wants to pursue a career in the military. He is in the process of applying for national ROTC scholarships and has been nominated for a full merit-based scholarship at the University of Virginia. His teachers describe him as an impressive student with an outstanding character and spirit who exudes kindness and respect and makes his peers feel welcome and valued.

Bronder selected Lt. Col. Chris Johnson as his favorite teacher because he makes the AFJROTC program lively and fun.

Jaiden Dabel, who is a 12th grade student at Triumph High, was selected as Laramie County School District 1’s Student of the Week for the week of Oct. 2.

Dabel was nominated by the selection committee for striving for the best in all his classes. He is described as a kind and respectful individual who is always willing to help others. Dabel is a great friend to his peers and everyone around him knows that they can count on him for anything they might need, no matter the situation.

According to members of the selection committee, Dabel’s dedication to his academic achievements makes him stand out in every class he enrolls in; he completes assignments on time, remains engaged and productive throughout his classes and has an outstanding attendance record. One of Dabel’s favorite hobbies is playing guitar.

His favorite teacher is Marissa Smith because she is nice, upbeat about life, always willing to help, and she makes math fun.

Keely Henderson, who is an 11th grade student at South High School, was selected as Laramie County School District 1’s Student of the Week for the week of Sept. 18.

Henderson was nominated by the selection committee for her academic achievements and extracurricular involvement both at South High and in the community.

She has taken AP classes at South High and several college level courses at Laramie County Community College, aspiring to obtain her associate degree by the time she graduates high school. She is an active member of South’s National Honor Society and in her spare time she enjoys volunteering at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens all while maintaining a 4.4 GPA.

Henderson is South High’s Swim Team captain and a member of the Capital City Athletics Swim Club. Her honorable, enthusiastic, responsible, and determined characteristics make her a role model for her peers. As described by the selection committee, Henderson is a ray of sunshine that can brighten anyone’s day with her presence.

Her favorite teacher is Elenora Zuber because she is a compassionate teacher and made AP Psychology fun and enjoyable during Henderson’s 2022-2023 school year.