TORRINGTON – On Monday afternoon, the Torrington Rotary Club met at the Cottonwood Country Club for the club’s weekly meeting where they honored Goshen County students of the semester with the Honorable Circuit Court Judge Nathaniel Hibben.

The meeting was called to order shortly after 12 p.m. by Hibben, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and Rotarian Four-Way Test. Hibben explained to the club Goshen County students of the semester were in attendance at the meeting. Hibben noted introducing the students to the club and recognizing them was one of the club’s favorite pastimes. After a brief introduction of guests, Hibben moved the meeting on to a few Rotarian traditions and announcements.

“I have a few announcements. Changing of the gavel ceremony will  be Monday, June 23 right here at the county club. We’re going do to 6 p.m. rather than the regular noon meeting. Please join us then,” Hibben said.

Hibben further noted the ceremony was a great time to enjoy fellowship and he moved on to the Queen of Spades. 

“For our kids, this is one of – we do a number of different ways that we raise money for student scholarships and the little game that you’re seeing here is one of those,” Hibben explained.

Hibben further explained club members receive a ticket when they make a donation and if the ticket is then selected out of the bucket, the club member draws a card. The member doesn’t win until the card is the Queen of Spades. Hibben also explained the Rotarian tradition of the Happy Basket noting members of the club donate money to the basket and explain a reason for their happiness. 

Next, members of the club made their donations to the basket and gave a brief summary of something that made them happy over the weekend. Some members commented they were happy about a safe prom night for the area high schools while others commented on a successful baseball season. Another member explained she was happy to be back at the Rotary meetings after a recent surgery. Jeff Jones noted Great Gardens will be having a business after hours event on Friday, May 1 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Todd Peterson spoke about his late wife and sister-in-law and how fortunate he was to have had them in his life.

Next Hibben noted the club was still in need of a president elect nominee and he further explained he could not recommend the opportunity more. Then, Hibben moved on to the introduction of the students of the semester. He explained there were six individuals, two from each school, who were in attendance at the meeting. 

“Let me begin by telling you just a little bit about the Rotary Club, what it is and what we do,” Hibben explained. “The Rotary Club is a service club. It exists to try to make the world a better place. Try to show service above self. The Rotary Club exists here in Torrington. It has for over the past 90 years. There are Rotarians all over the world.”

Hibben went on to explain most Wyoming towns have a Rotary Club and the club is in Nebraska as well. He explained the members are made up from a variety of different backgrounds including business owners, professionals, retirees and people who try to show service above self.

“The Rotary Club sponsors a number of organizations and service clubs. You might see the walking path that run through town,” Hibben said. “You will see benches. There are a number of those. If you go to the pool this summer, you will see that Rotary Club sponsored the renovation of the kid area. The shade structure and seating at the city pool. The Torrington club sponsors the local library. Sponsors third graders, everyone receives a dictionary in third grade.” 

“One of the other things we do is just have to get together as friends,” Hibben said. “But one of the things that we all enjoy the most is encouraging our young people and we have six of our best from Goshen County here today. As a part of this, I’ll tell you that all six of you will be eligible for some scholarships.”

Hibben noted the Torrington Rotary Club distributes anywhere from $5,000 to $7,000 in scholarship funds for Goshen County students a year. 

Amanda Fogle, school counselor, introduced the Southeast High School students of the semester.

“I’m very proud to have the two that I brought today. Again, they’re fine examples of students at Southeast. They’ve been involved in everything at our school. They’ve had their fingers in helping make our school a better year, all year long,” Fogle said introducing Ayden Desmond.

“I’m Ayden Desmond from Southeast High School,” Desmond said. “I’m involved in National Honor Society (NHS), basketball, football, baseball. My future plans are to attend college, although I don’t know exactly where yet, maybe in business and play some baseball while I’m there.”

Next, Fogle introduced Anna Hartman. 

Hartman noted she was involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), NHS, basketball, volleyball and track. She also is a member of student council. Her future plans include attending the University of Wyoming.

For Torrington High School, school counselors Alaria Schnase and Shawn Keith introduced two students. The duo noted it was a privilege to be able to have their students recognized by the club. 

“I’m Olive Osmera. I’m from Torrington High School. I’m currently a senior. My plans after high school, I’m going to attend Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) here in Torrington. I play volleyball and basketball and I am majoring in physical education,” Osmera explained. “Then, my accomplishments, I am all-state and all-conference in volleyball and basketball. I’m also part of my school’s NHS, student council, leadership and the Wyoming Athletics Association Student Advisory Council, where we speak to students all over the state of Wyoming about sportsmanship. Then, something about me is I raise ducks and I have 22 ducks.”

“Hey everyone. I was here a few months ago for wrestling, as some of you, I’m sure, remember. My name is Kaden Romig. I am involved in football, wrestling. I’ve done some track and field. I’m involved in NHS. I plan to pursue my education at the University of Kearney and major in pre-occupational therapy, which is kind of like health science major and a minor in Spanish,” Romig said. “Something about me is I’m a two-time All-American wrestler and I’m also a two-time all-state football player.”

For Lingle-Ft. Laramie High School, teacher Kara Hill introduced the school’s students of the semester noting it was an honor and a privilege to do so.

“Hello, I’m Cooper Smith. I’m currently a senior at Lingle-Ft. Laramie High School. I maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school. I earned one for the five valedictorians we have for the for the ’25 graduating class. I earned 24 credit hours at EWC, helping me make my way for the next year and really giving me that jumpstart. I plan to attend the University of Wyoming to also major in mechanical engineering,” Smith said. “I’m involved in football, basketball and track. I received all-state football twice this past year and last year. This year, I received the 1A 9-man defensive player of the year. For community service, I’m involved in NHS, which I serve as treasurer and I am also involved in Future Business Leaders of America, where I serve as vice-president.”

Cooper noted he had earned over 150 hours of community service. He enjoys volunteering at the local animal shelter, tutors other students and tries to do everything to the best of his ability. 

“Hi, my name is Addison Scott. I’m a senior at Lingle-Ft. Laramie High School. This fall, I will be attending Grand Canyon University, in Phoenix, Arizona. I am majoring in psychology with a minor in Spanish. After I graduate in just three years, I will be in honors college. I hope to work on my master’s degree while working in the counseling field and eventually becoming a medical psychologist in a hospital specializing in drug and alcohol counseling,” Scott explained. “I am currently the senior class vice president. I am a student council member, a senior representative. Last year, I had the opportunity to serve as the southeast region representative on the Wyoming State Student Council Board and got to meet some really cool leaders across the country. Super grateful for those kinds of opportunities.”

Hibben then congratulated the students and he encouraged the students to put service over self.

“What I want to say to each of the young people is, I think, two things. First, with whatever you do next, please make sure that service is part of it. You can help to make the world better. Part of the way that you do that is by helping others,” Hibben said. 

Hibben concluded by asking the students to make a difference, reminding them God is a good friend and to reach out to any Rotarian for assistance along the way. 

The meeting concluded after a short presentation from University of Wyoming coach Shannon Moore.