Nearly 100 HSCHS students letter

Monday night was the annual Academic Letter Banquet at Hot Springs County High School, with 99 students receiving their letters and/or pins. In order to receive a letter, a student must have been on the honor roll in the fall and spring semester of their previous year.

Prior to the presentation of awards, Superintendent Dustin Hunt expressed appreciation to the parents for helping make education a priority in their children's lives. "Parents are truly our partners," Hunt said, "and by placing value on education it becomes a value to your students."

Hunt also appreciates the teachers and staff for the time they put in, and is especially grateful to the students who have followed through to take advantage of the opportunity for a Wyoming public education. Hunt also pointed out the students continue to create history and build legacy in the district, with 99 students being among the highest receiving academic letters and seniors last year earning more than $500,000 in scholarships.

Also impressive to Hunt was this year's Homecoming, with the students showing they know how to have a good time and show school spirit. What most impressed him was their remembering Homecoming is a community event and ensuring everyone got to have fun.

Hunt reached out to his former students, teachers and classmates to gather some advice to the students as they go forward. That advice includes refusing to be denied, finding something they love and a way to make a living doing that, thinking about and getting to what they see as their next level.

The superintendent also advised students to be grateful for living in a community that values education, and for their teachers and parents.

Those earning awards Monday night were Naomi Bishop, McKenna Bomengen, Ashley Brawley, KyAnn Calhoun, Jasmine Collins, Oran Coyne,Brianna DeVries, Kolby George, Hannah Hu, Tahja Hunt, Dood Jaussaud, Kelly Johnson, Tyler Kay, Barbara Kissel, Dakota Leonhardt, Ashley McPhie, Breeze Petty, Lane Randall, Hyrum Rich, Dayna Sandberg, Reagan Severance, Madeline Stam, Jasman Steadman, Barden Steere, Jeffery VanAntwerp, Olivia Weyer, Grace Whitt, Audrey Axtell, Tamara Bleak, Oakley Bowman, Patricia Capelle, Jeffry Clark, Mya Conrad, Leam Daniels, Kaylee DeVries, Akeyla Franklin, Sterling Gerber, Ian Harbin, Destiny Harris, Jaxson Jensen, Jazmen Jensen, Courtney Jeunehomme, Rebekah Johnson, McKayla Layman, Hayden Little, Savannah Magelky, Krynn McGinty, Jolie Nicodemus, Emme Norsworthy, Dani Jo Pebbles, Aime Robinson, Kyle Roessing, Jaden Schierkolk, Charles Vialpando, Kiara Warman, Elisa Weber, Hailie Weber, Chase White, Kalli Blandford, Katie Burrows, Maggie Cable, Joshua Canfield, Logan Cole, Colton Dobbins, Owen Douglas, Remington Ferree, Sequoia Fishbaugh, Aaron Hanson, Aaron Harvey, Jonathan Harvey, Austin Ireland, Aspen Jensen, Sesilili Jensen, Taydee Landrum, Monte Love, Chandler Maddock, John Maier, Benjamin Manning , Cody Mayfield, Sydney McGinty, Cade McLean, Erica Meier, Savana Meier, Ryan Miller, Sean Miller, Jarron Mortimore, Corianna Nolan, Ramsay Owens, Aidan Ozmon, Seth Parker, Matthew Reynolds, Reilly Russell, Riley Shaffer, Kaylee Shook, Tyson Tobar, Taytum Vialpando, Elizabeth Wagstaff, Jocelyn White and Corina Williams.

Following the letter ceremony, 14 students became new members of the National Honor Society, with NHS Sponsor Ella Withers providing the induction speech to inform new members and remind the old of their duties of scholarship, leadership, character and service.

Throughout the year, Withers noted, NHS members serve as role models for other students with their strong academic records, leading student organizations and service to the community. "We are proud of this record of accomplishment," Wither said, "and welcome these new members who bring new energy and support of our continuing work as NHS members."

Those inducted into NHS Monday night are Audrey Axtell, McKenna Bomengen, Ashley Brawley, Kaylee DeVries, Sterling Gerber, Hannah Hu, Tyler Kay, Benjamin Manning, Krynn McGinty, Ashley McPhie, Erica Meier, Taydee Landrum, Olivia Weyer and Breeze Petty.