James Wilson Anderson
Jim Anderson was born and raised in Evanston Wyoming. After
serving four years in the army during WWII, Jim worked his entire
life at the Blyth and Fargo Co. general store. Once Jim retired
he was an active member of the Senor Citizens Group and representative
of the AARP for many years. He traveled rather extensively until
a few years ago. He was a member of the Cowboy Joe Club for
some time and continues to be an avid fan of the Cowboy Teams,
though these days, his source is TV or radio.
Jim still keeps sharp by staying abreast of current events,
even at the age of 87. Though his eyesight is failing, he reads
the daily paper using a magnifying glass. He watches (or perhaps
listens) to C-Span and other news programs. He has a remarkable
memory and is a reliable source of Evanston history.
Jim
is a graduate of Evanston High School. Because of the depression
and his service during the Second World War, he was not able
to further his education. Jim never married and has no children
of his own, but wanted to give back to the community of Evanston.
Understanding the importance of higher education, Jim decided
he would like to establish a scholarship fund benefiting a male
and female graduating senior of Evanston High School every year.
He has great respect for the University of Wyoming, so has asked
that this scholarship be used at UW.
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 Burlington Alum, Miriam Neves Hammell
The Burlington Alumni association welcomes the opportunity to have you learn more about the individual that has made the bulk of this scholarship possible, Miriam Lena Neves Hammell. Miriam was the first living child of Chester Earl Neves and Caroline Elizabeth McIntosh Neves. She was born in Burlington, Wyoming on February 18, 1922. Her family eventually consisted of three brothers, Harold, Melvin, and Alan, and four sisters, Dorothy, Shirley, Carol, and Gay. Living on a farm in the 1920’s and 30’s was a lot of hard work with very few of life’s luxuries. Education was important to Miriam. She decided she was going to go to college and become a teacher. She graduated from Burlington High School in 1940. She prepared for college by living with a cousin in Basin while she saved money and acquired clothes. Just prior to leaving for college, a fire started in her bedroom burning her clothes. Miriam went to the University of Wyoming anyway. Learning did not come easy for Miriam but she kept at it so she would not have to work on a farm all her life. She felt "farm work was just too hard!" Miriam graduated from the University of Wyoming with a double major in Dietetics and Education.
Miriam met George Wilson (Pat) Hammell a returned WWII veteran, in her first year of teaching in Guernsey, Wyoming. Miriam and Pat were married in Burlington Wyoming at her parents’ home June 2, 1946. They adopted two little girls, Mary Lou and Carolyn Sue. Mary Lou passed away May 17, 1998.
Pat spent the war years in Brazil fixing air planes. He used those skills in civilian life upon his return from the war. Miriam and Pat spent their married lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Midwest City, Oklahoma. Over fifty years were spent together in Midwest City before Miriam’s beloved Pat passed away March 18, 2000.
Miriam was a dedicated teacher. She taught for over thirty years in Oklahoma. Most of her adult years were spent in literacy helping non-English speaking students learn and do well in school. Miriam loved to see her students succeed. She expected excellence and received it from her students.
Miriam was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She used her teaching talents serving in her church. She was an early morning Seminary teacher for many years as well as teaching in Sunday School and serving in other capacities. Her students tell of her unconditional love, her desire for them to succeed. She would provide transportation if needed so they could attend.
Service was an integral part of Miriam. Many meals, rides to the doctor, visits when sick, cheering those who were ill or discouraged, giving love and encouragement were appreciated by the recipients. Miriam’s true legacy is in the stories from the many people whose lives she touched. One of her former students said, "When I was a teenager, troubled, lonely, and with little self confidence, Miriam showed unconditional love for me when I needed it most."
Miriam passed away August 27, 2006. With her dedication to learning it is fitting that Miriam Lena Neves Hammell left scholarship funds for generations of other Burlington High School students. She wanted to help others from the little community where she spent her hard working farm years have the opportunities she had for an education.
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 Kenneth and Ann Cyrus
Ken and Ann Bloomfield Cyrus were an outgoing, generous couple who loved the state of Wyoming, and gave freely of their talents and energies to the communities in which they lived.
Born and raised in Basin, Kenny served with the Army in Korea after high school, and then came home and earned his Accounting degree from the University of Wyoming. Annie was a Cheyenne girl who attended UW to major in Elementary Education. While in college, the two met and married, shortly after Kenny's graduation. They made their first home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Kenny was employed with Standard Oil Company. But homesickness for friends and family and the wide-open spaces of Wyoming helped to bring the couple back to their native state. Kenny got a job at Cheyenne Federal Savings and Loan, and Annie worked for the Wyoming Brand Office until the birth of their first child. Ann became a stay-at-home mother, raised her children, and jumped in feet first to serve as a Brownie leader, Cub Scout den mother, and PTA officer. Believing that all children deserved support and assistance, she also volunteered for many years at the Cheyenne Opportunity School for the developmentally disabled.
Meanwhile, Kenny was working hard and volunteering in the Cheyenne community in a myriad of ways. He was district commander of American Legion Post No. 6, was elected to 2 terms on the Laramie County School District #1 school board, and served on the boards for the Longs Peak Boy Scout Council, Wyoming Girl Scout Council, Laramie County Red Cross, and the Cheyenne Quarterback Club, to name just a few. Because of the depth of his community involvement, Kenny was honored as the Jaycees Outstanding Young Man for the state of Wyoming in 1962.
Both Kenny and Annie loved the festivities of Cheyenne Frontier Days. While Ken was a member of the Heels organization and helping with timing and judging at rodeos, Ann was feeding their cowboy friends, and out-of-town guests.
The Cyrus's were huge supporters of the University of Wyoming, and for years, had season tickets to all the home football games. Their children remember watching Wyoming football from the "Knothole Section" from the time they were knee high to that pony that ran around the field every so often! Ken proudly served as President of the UW Alumni Association in the early '70's.
In 1972, Ken was transferred to Green River to open up and manage Cheyenne Federal's first branch office. Ken and Ann diverted their energies to helping out in their new hometown. Ken joined the Chamber of Commerce, and helped lead that organization for a few years. He served on the board for Western Wyoming Community College. Ann became a founding member of the Green River PEO chapter, and helped with the American Cancer Society. In 1976, Ken and Ann bought Lakeway Liquors, which they ran together until Ken passed away in 1986. Ann continued to run the business for 13 more years, finally selling it and retiring in 1999. Following her retirement, Ann lived in Green River until 2002, when she moved to Gillette to be close to her daughter and grandchildren. Ann passed away in 2003.
This scholarship fund was established by their daughter, Karin Cyrus-Strid, in memory of her parents' passion for education and the state of Wyoming. Her brother, Philip N. Cyrus, passed away in 1976.
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 Fred
A. Earl
Fred Earl was a real force of nature in this state. He was born
in 1870 in Sackett’s Harbor, New York. Upon graduating
from high school at the age of 17 he decided to go west and
ended up in Lander courtesy of the Rawlins stagecoach. Straight
away he went to work at Wind River for the Nobel and Lane Mercantile
Co general store. A few years later, he returned to New York
to further his education. His training there allowed him to
become the bookkeeper and, later, credit man for the company
that included a flour mill and freighting outfits. His many
mercantile experiences made it possible for him to purchase
a pharmacy and begin investing in sheep. The former he turned
into a profitable business with his brothers who came out to
join him in Wyoming and the latter he parlayed into several
successful business ventures. He built the Earl building in
1907, chaired the stock growers state bank in 1916, president
of the Fremont County Woolgrowers Association, and Married Kathryn
Bird in 1930. More about Fred A. Earl
The
scholarship fund was created by Fred Earl’s daughter, Joan
Earl, to honor the memory of his love and generosity that will
be with her always. The scholarship benefits individuals of
Native American descent in Fremont County that wish to further
their education. Because Mr. Earl first got his start in Fremont
County, Joan felt there was a debt owed to the community there.
She hopes that the scholarship can help repay the debt in some
small way.
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 Jason
Haight
Jason was born and raised on a ranch in Gillette. He excelled
at Campbell County High School graduating with honors as the
valedictorian of his class and national merit scholar. He entered
George Washington University soon after graduation and participated
in the GW honors program as a Presidential scholar. He was also
a member of the Interfraternity Council, Tau Epsilon Pi fraternity
and the GW intercollegiate debate team where he won numerous
awards. In 1995 Jason graduated summa cum laude with a bachelors
of Business Administration and earned the Henry Cowles Award
in recognition of overall scholastic achievement and leadership
potential in international business.
In
summers, Jason clerked at law firms in DC and Wyoming. He was
an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed biking, climbing, swimming,
and golf. In the 94/95 academic year, Jason entered Duke Law
School. He was the Nixon Scholar in his class-a distinction
offered annually to an outstanding law student showing promise
in international affairs.
Jason’s parents, Bruce and Jillian Haight, established
the scholarship fund to memorialize their son and his love of
learning. They believe that he would have wanted to help give
a promising scholar an opportunity to pursue a higher level
of education. Jason’s memory lives on in the Jason Haight
Academic Scholarship winners.
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Hayden Huston
When 17-year old cowboy, Tobe Huston, left an Oregon-bound wagon train in 1890 to settle in the Green River Valley, he could not possibly imagine that his son and daughter-in-law someday would commemorate the event with the Huston Centennial Scholarship. Indeed, by means of a simple transfer of stock, Hayden and Ivanka Huston of Daniel have established an endowment in the Wyoming Community Foundation, which will fund in perpetuity scholarships for Pinedale High School graduates.
Hayden Huston himself is a 1941 graduate of Pinedale High School. Because of the financial condition of his family, he was unable to go to college. Instead, he joined the Navy and served throughout World War II, mostly overseas in the Pacific area. Specialized training by the Navy taught him a skill sought by the diplomatic services of the State Department and he joined that organization soon after the War. For the almost forty years in this job, he lived and traveled all over the world, fulfilling a long-standing dream. "When a boy back in Daniel desperate to get away and see the world, if I had ordered up the ideal job, it would have been just about what I experienced with the State Department," Huston said. "Hopefully, the Huston Centennial Scholarship will serve as a practical example to each graduate that if a boy from Daniel can do it - with hard work, perseverance, discipline, and a little luck - then others in similar situations can fulfill their dreams, and someday be in a position to contribute something similar to this Scholarship to the benefit of their community," he added.
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Allen L. Keeney
Allen L. Keeney
was a man of many accomplishments. He was born in Salt Lake
City, Utah but lived in Wyoming for most of his life. He
taught high school in Rock Springs for 31 years and was one
of the founders of the Art Center in that city. Allen is
listed in Who’s Who in American
Art, he was the past president of Wyoming Art Education
Association, taught at Western Wyoming College, and acted
as the superintendent of Education and School Exhibits in
county fair. He was also honored by the Rock Springs Art
Guild and Women’s Club and had the
foresight to start the Wyoming Art Symposium for Wyoming
High schools.
Allen
passed away in 1993 and his friends and family created the
scholarship fund as a remembrance to his many contributions
to the community of Rock Springs. Scholarships are awarded
to graduating seniors of Rock Springs High School that are
interested in pursuing a degree in the field of art. In this
way, Allen’s life’s
work can live on in the students that win the Keeney Scholarship.
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 Doris
G. Solberg Lye
This scholarship fund was established to memorialize Doris Solberg
Lye. In her lifetime, she endeavored to always live up to the
old adage that anything worth doing is worth doing well, whether
it was teaching or filling the multiple roles required of ranch
wives in this state. She received the honor of being the Ag Woman
of the Year in 1985 and was a highly accomplished seamstress.
As an educator and farmer, Doris appreciated the value of living
close to nature and receiving a good education. It is fitting
then that the scholarship bearing her name benefits graduating
seniors of Wind River High School, allowing an opportunity for
youth raised in an agricultural community to further their education.
Hopefully the advantages of the scholarship will lead full circle
to advantages for Wyoming landscape-educated youth living a life
close to nature!
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 Aaron
McGinnis
There is not much Aaron McGinnis
didn’t do or try. He was
born in La Barge, Wyoming and spent his life in this great
state. He was a state champion wrestler for four years running
during college in the early 30’s. After college, he started
a ranch with a five-year lease and ended up buying a spread
on Fontanelle. He loved flying his BT-13 trainer plane. The
plane is a two seater basic trainer and was produced in greater
numbers than all other trainers produced in US during WWII.
Presently, there are only about 50 left flying. Aaron flew
the plane until his death. His son and grandson, Myles and
Michael McGinnis, hope to continue the tradition.
The
Scholarship was created by Caroline McGinnis to memorialize
her husband through the continued education of outstanding seniors
graduating from Big Piney High School. For more information
about Aaron McGinnis please read the poignant and humorous eulogy
prepared by his stepson, Sam Delich.
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 Ross and Elise McKenna
Elise Mayor McKenna came to Wyoming in 1922 when her family homesteaded in the 4-Mile area. She graduated from Johnson County High School in Buffalo in 1926 and then taught school at The Big 4 School on 4-Mile for 2 years. Ross and Elise were married in 1928 and made Kaycee their home. After raising a family Elise resumed teaching in 1945 and taught in Kaycee until her retirement in 1971. From 1950 to 1967 Elise sponsored and chaperoned educational tours for Kaycee Junior High groups. Before Kaycee had a regular physical education teacher, Elsie taught tumbling, square dancing, tatting and knitting to the girls. She was the Pep Club leader from 1952 through 1966 and accompanied the girls to basketball games and tournaments. She even coached a boy's marble team at one time. She was a charter member of the Johnson County Education Association and the Kaycee P.T.A. Ross operated the Conoco service station in Kaycee from 1938 through 1978. He was a volunteer weather reporter for the National Weather Bureau for 45 years, and served the community by participating in the severe weather-warning network. Ross passed away in 1986 at age 86. Elise continued to live in Kaycee until 1999 when she moved to New Rockford, North Dakota. Until her death at 98 years she considered herself a Wyomingite, and most especially a Kaycee resident. Robert McKenna and Eula Iverson, along with their families, established the McKenna Memorial Scholarship fund in honor of their parents. Ross and Elise always believed in giving back to the community they lived in for most of their lives, and education was very important to Elise.
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 Elizabeth Gail Morris
A longtime teacher and daughter of a teacher, Elizabeth Gail Morris knew the value of education.
Gail, as she was known to family and friends, was born November 1, 1912, in Baker, Montana, the third of five daughters of T.S. (Pat) Crow and Ada Raske Crow. The girls received some of their early education from their mother, who taught in Montana country schools for 30 years. When Gail was 14, she graduated from Baker High School with her two older sisters. She studied at the University of Montana and Dickinson (North Dakota) Teachers College before teaching for several years in Fallon County, Montana.
On March 11, 1933, she was married to Hugh M. Morris. Gail continued to teach, while Hugh farmed and ranched. During World War II, Hugh served in the SeaBees in North Africa, and Gail worked at the Kaiser Shipyards in Oakland, California. Afterwards, Hugh’s trucking business took them to various locations in Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota before they moved the business to Upton, Wyoming, in 1951.
Gail resumed teaching and in 1959 graduated from Black Hills Teachers College, Spearfish, South Dakota. She taught lower grades in nearby Osage for much of her career. Hugh died August 14, 1977 and Gail, April 6, 2006.
Gail and Hugh were childless. Perhaps because of this, her own delayed degree and her long involvement in education, Gail endowed several scholarships for Upton High School graduates.
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Mabel C. Sargent
Mabel Sargent was a remarkable woman who believed in working
hard and helping others. She exemplified both of these beliefs
while working as a nurse in Denver, Colorado. In 1947 she and
her husband Newell purchased Fremont Beverages, Inc. in Wyoming
where she continued to work industriously. Newell Sargent created
the scholarship fund to memorialize his wife after she was killed
in a traffic accident caused by a drunk driver. The scholarship
benefits junior or senior students pursuing a degree in nursing
at the University of Wyoming.
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 Vera
Asay Sargent
Vera Asay Sargent was born and raised in Lovell, Wyoming. Vera
was a single mother raising three children, two girls and one
boy during the 30s-40s and 50s. She worked for the CB&Q
railroad and held down various other jobs in Lovell, just to
make ends meet. She was a special lady and her main goal was
to get her children through high school and into college. She
accomplished this.
It was during the 50s that the railroad transferred her to Worland.
This was where she met and married Newell B. Sargent and together
they built one of the largest Pepsi Cola companies in the Rocky
Mountain region. They were both very involved in community activities
in Worland.
The
intent of this scholarship is to honor Mrs. Vera Asay Sargent
while she is still alive and leave an everlasting memory of
her. Scholarships are awarded to graduates of Lovell High School
that are currently attending or planning to attend Northwest
Community College in Powell. Scholarships are awarded on the
basis of need and are intended to assist a student as he or
she begins college.
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