Wyoming Department of Education ctEzine Winter 2023

© 2022 – Wyoming Department of Education; all rights reserved

Dr. Michelle Aldrich – Career and Technical Education Director | 307-777-3655

Mary Billiter – Perkins Manager, Career and Technical Education | 307-777-5329

Ilaine Brown – Education Consultant, Career and Technical Education | 307-777-3549

The Wyoming Department of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment of employment in its programs or activities. Inquiries concerning Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and ADA may be referred to Wyoming Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights Coordinator, 122 W. 25th St. Suite E200, Cheyenne, WY, 82002-2060 or 307-777-7675, or the Office of Civil Rights, Region VIII, U.S. Department of Education, Federal Building, Suite 310, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Denver, CO 80204-3582, or 303-844-5695 or TDD 303-844-3417. This information will be provided in an alternative format upon request.

Table of Contents

A Meal With A View

Building A Better Future

The Likely Choice

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The Spirit of the West is alive and well in The Cowboy State. From the Tetons to the High Plain prairies, Wyoming is unparalleled in beauty, history, and outdoor adventures. Wyoming’s workforce is as diverse as its recreational offerings.

The Equality State has something for everyone. Served by seven community colleges and our state University, students of all ages can discover their new path in Wyoming.

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) team at the Wyoming Department of Education strives to provide quality CTE experiences that are equitable while growing a competitive workforce. Whether it’s skilled trades, applied sciences, or a post-secondary degree, certificate or credential, we’re here to help you discover what Wyoming has to offer you in your educational and career journey.

Information about each college and university is provided on pages 10 and 11. Find more information at Wyoming’s Post Secondary Education Opportunities

ctEzine is released three times a year by the Career and Technical Education team at the Wyoming Department of Education.

Publisher: Dr. Michelle Aldrich

Editor: Linda Finnerty

Contributing Writer: Mary Billiter

Graphic Design: Alison Reinemer

STAR VALLEY RANCH, WY: After a round of 18 holes, Katie Toolson drove her golf cart to work. But it wasn’t just any golf cart. The University of Wyoming graduate’s customized cart was tricked out in brown and gold. From the leather seats to the glossy paint and Steamboat mascot centered on the hood, Toolson is true to her school.

“UW pride,” she said with enthusiasm. “One of the reasons why I came here was because of the golf course,” said Toolson, who is a third-generation Jackson native, who uprooted to Star Valley Ranch in 2013.

Now, Toolson oversees the day-to-day operations and management of the Three Canyons Restaurant in Star Valley Ranch, which is situated off the ninth and tenth holes.

“The community of Star Valley Ranch and the golf community are super kind and really supportive,” she said.

Not into golf? No problem. Anyone with an appetite for good food and specular views will find both at Three Canyons Restaurant. With endless ribbons of greenways edged by beautiful, mountainous terrain, the atmosphere only adds to the menu offerings. From trout to beef tenderloin, there’s plenty to choose from.

Toolson wants everyone to enjoy the experience at Three Canyons Restaurant, which is why she fully embraces hiring high school students.

“I think every kid should work in the hospitality industry just to show they understand how hard it is. From dishwashing to being a server or chef, everyone works together to accomplish one end goal, and that’s pleasing the customer,” said Toolson, who has witnessed the transformation that happens with her teenage employees.

“They grow and mature into responsible individuals. They show up to work, and if they

by Mary Billiter, Wyoming Department of Education

can’t make a shift, it’s their responsibility to get it covered. They learn responsibility and time management,” she said, adding, “you can’t be in the kitchen and be on the phone. They learn to communicate.”

The town of Star Valley Ranch Mayor Kathleen Buyers agrees that a job in the hospitality industry is a good fit for high schoolers.

“It would be a great job because the hours are flexible. They learn excellent customer service skills, how a restaurant works, including the back of the house and the front of the house,” said Buyers, who also highlighted the perks of working in the town of Star Valley Ranch.

“This a great place to get to know their neighbors and develop new relationships within the community,” she said. “Katie is an exceptional leader and works hard to make sure the restaurant is successful.”

Head Cook Desirae Hibbert originally had her sights set on a career in child development.

“There was too much school,” she said before pausing, “And school was extremely hard for me.”

Hibbert found her niche in the kitchen.

“It came naturally to me. I learned a lot from on-the-job training and other cooks,” she said.

Hibbert was plating a savory cheese and chicken quesadilla for the lunch crowd that had just poured into the restaurant.

“I like cooking for the customers.” She carefully wiped the rim of the plate with a clean towel, removing the barely noticeable drip of cheese on the edge. When she was finished, she stood back and took one last look. Satisfied, the head cook placed the plate on the line for the server to deliver.

Hibbert is a fan of everything on the menu, but her favorite meal to prepare is the grilled turkey,

avocado and Swiss sandwich. It’s also her go-to item for her meal break.

“Swiss is my favorite cheese, so there’s that. But the combo of the grilled turkey and avocado go so well with the Swiss,” she said.

The Star Valley native has no regrets with her choice to build a career in the food and beverage industry.

“It’s a great job. I’m self-supporting and I get to work with some really great people,” she said.

With a population of less than 2,000 year-round residents, the closest restaurant for community members of Star Valley Ranch was in either Afton or Alpine, which is roughly 35 miles away in either direction.

“Three Canyon serves as not only a great place to have lunch or dinner, it has also become a gathering place for the residents of the town,” said Mayor Buyers.

The poolside grill, which opens seasonally, and Three Canyons Restaurant, which is open year-round, are the only businesses in Star Valley Ranch. However, the town’s growth continues to rise.

“The town may have been just a summer resort 50 years ago, but today we are a town full of families and some retirees,” said Buyers.

The town of Star Valley Ranch offers a variety of outdoor activities including biking, hiking, swimming, golfing, and of course, dining.

Three Canyons Restaurant in Star Valley Ranch, Wyoming is now hiring for myriad hospitality positions. No experience is necessary. High schoolers are encouraged to apply. To learn more and to apply online, visit their website at: Three Canyons Restaurant

“It’s a great job. I’m self-supporting and I get to work with some really great people,”

- Head Cook Desirae Hibbert

Building A Better Future

AFTON, WY: Steve Anderson’s motivation to earn his pilot’s license was twofold.

“I liked the freedom of it and the ability to go anywhere and do anything,” he said, then paused, “But really, at first, I thought it would impress the girls.” A quick shake of his head followed, “It never did.” Anderson’s laughter is much like his build – hearty and robust.

“I met my wife, but not by being a pilot.” His smile was as broad and bright as the yellow wings of the Husky he stood beside.

Anderson’s interest in aviation began early. His father was a private pilot, so he was accustomed to spending time in the air.

“I started flying when I was 18,” he said. “By the time I was 21, I was instructing.”

Anderson attended Great Western Aviation, a flight school in Logan, Utah.

“From start to finish it took three years,” he said, noting, “There are certainly many different ways to train; this one just made the most sense for my situation.”

Anderson is licensed in private single and multi-engine, instrument rating, and commercial single and multi-engine. Additionally, he holds a certified flight instructor rating for single and multi-engine airplanes.

Twenty-three years later, Anderson serves as president of Aviat Aircraft Inc. in Afton, Wyoming.

“The job at Aviat brought me to Wyoming,” he

by Mary Billiter, Wyoming Department of Education

said. “As our family grew, it just continued to make more sense, especially from the standpoint of the quality of schools for our children. We had also lived quite a bit in cities over the years, and the rural setting of Afton agreed with us.”

Aviat Aircraft is a 72,000 square-foot manufacturing factory located on Route 89, a two-lane highway, in Star Valley. Afton is one of 13 small towns that comprise Star Valley on the western edge of Wyoming. The community consists of multi-generational families that homesteaded and founded the valley. They’re hard-working, unassuming Wyomingites, who are as tied to the land as they are to the community they serve. It would be difficult to find someone in Star Valley, who isn’t kind-natured.

Heidi Wilson works in the shipping department at Aviat. As she drove screws into a freight container, preparing it for shipment, she spoke about her tenure at the aircraft manufacturer.

“It keeps me busy and I like that it’s not repetitive. There’s something different every day,” she said. The recently married 23-year-old Star Valley native was introduced to Aviat through her mom.

“My mom was a sheet-metal fabricator, so she taught me a lot,” Wilson said. “She also had good stories about working here.”

In a small, rural Wyoming town, some of the more well-known clientele that Aviat have produced Huskys for, tend to be widely known.

From Harrison Ford to Allen Jackson, the owners of Husky planes are legendary.

“Chuck Yeager, the astronaut who broke the sound barrier, had a Husky at his training school,” said Kelly Christensen. Christensen began his career at Aviat as an accountant and quickly broadened his scope as a production manager and

controller.

Aviat produces Husky, Pitts and Eagle aircraft. Aviat built its first Husky aircraft in 1985. Frank Christensen, designer of the Christen Eagle aerobatic biplane, based the Husky on the world-famous Super Cub plane from Piper, with the idea to improve it. Christensen applied computer-aided design (CAD) principles, and “supered” the Super Cub. The result was the Husky A-1A certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1987.

A starting price for a custom-built aircraft is $400,000. The customization and building process finishes within four months, providing Aviat employees a hands-on experience with each personalized aircraft.

“We encourage high school kids to work for the summer or on their off days from school to build avionics,” said Christensen, who also assists in the recruitment effort.

“We offer paid apprenticeships and good summer jobs,” he said.

A beginning wage for a high school student is $14 per hour. No experience is necessary. Plus, the opportunities for advancement at Aviat are unlimited.

“Aviation opens a lot of doors because it trains you to be able to multi-task, juggle and keep your cool,” said Anderson.

For Aviat welder Ed Nebeker, his career with Aviat and living in Afton allowed him the best of both worlds. “It’s an excellent place to work and live. I love it here. Everyone in the world comes here to vacation and I live here.”

Aviat Aircraft Inc. in Afton, Wyoming is hiring for positions in their welding, mechanic, assembly and paint divisions. To learn more and to apply online, visit their website at: Aviat Aircraft

“Everyone in the world comes here to vacation and I live here.”

- Ed Nebeker

Check out the opportunities at these Wyoming colleges and university

Casper College –

Your Life, Your College, Your Future, Starts at Casper College. Since 1945, Casper College has provided access to higher education resources that strengthen, support, and enrich the community. As the world’s economy changes, Casper College is training individuals to meet the demand for new skills and new ways of thinking. Casper’s Technical Education provides several paths to follow. There are more than 140 options to set your career in motion. Take a look to see what programs are offered that may fit your interests.

Central Wyoming College –

Real People. Real Experience. Real Value. Explore educational opportunities including certificate programs, associate’s, and bachelor’s degrees. Central Wyoming College offers Career and Technical Education that is industry driven and hands-on. Career Services are available for your job search. Their main campus is located in Riverton with outreach centers in Lander, Jackson, and Dubois designed to meet the needs of the communities they serve.

Eastern Wyoming College –

A Great Decision for Your Future!

An innovative learning environment, Eastern Wyoming College provides academic excellence and community enrichment that champion’s student success. At EWC, you can start on the path toward your goals. Their variety of programs are aimed at helping you learn a new career or transfer to a four-year college or university. With affordable tuition rates and an easy transition from high school to college, EWC’s student experience is designed to foster personal growth with many outreach sites in the Community Service Area

Laramie County Community College –

LCCC lives through the power of inspired learning. You can find your path at LCCC through the various program of studies based on your interest and goals. You can complete an associate’s degree, certificate or credit diploma, as well as prepare to transfer to a University. The Career Coach tool provides you with an opportunity to take a career assessment and browse careers and pathways that will lead you to that career.

Northern Wyoming Community College –

Your future begins now at NWCC. Welcoming all learners, NWCC empowers student success through a focus on career goals and educational programming. By broadening your career options and discovering occupations that match your personal preferences and attributes, NWCC supports their students’ personal needs and goal.

Northwest College –

Your future, our focus – discover Northwest College. Northwest College is a two-year residential college located in Powell, which is a close drive to Yellowstone National Park. With a strong focus on technical studies that builds a foundation for information systems, NWC students learn innovative practices for today’s workforce. NWC takes career advising to the next level.

Western Wyoming Community College –

Western is where passion meets purpose. Find your passion at WWCC through an array of technical courses. Their two-year program provides a firm foundation to solve real-world problems. WWCC has a broad discipline of courses that prepare students for rewarding careers in almost any industry. Western is an award-wining college in both their on-campus and distance learning programs.

University of Wyoming –

The world needs more cowboys.

Rooted in the traditions of the West and surrounded by the rugged Rocky Mountains, the University of Wyoming is nationally recognized for their expert facility, top-ranked academics, and world-class campus. UW offers hands-on training and opportunities for students to earn certifications and hone their craft in their industry.

CHEYENNE, WY: Jera Likely’s interest in architecture began in art class.

“I loved art – any medium,” she said. “But I was always creating perspective drawings.”

As early as the second grade, Likely’s understanding of depth, perspective and space found its way through her art.

“I’ve always liked to organize space,” said Likely, who credits art as the genesis of what eventually led her to study engineering.

When Likely attended the University of Wyoming for her undergraduate degree in architectural engineering, she worked on campus at the facilities engineering department. One of the areas the department is charged with is providing the UW community with safety services –including biological and chemical safety.

“Students were passing out in the cadaver lab because the formaldehyde was making them sick,” she said. “So, we studied the air flow in the room.”

Likely’s face brightens when she recalls the experience.

“We applied engineering principles to an actual problem to figure out what was making them sick,” she said of the paid position, which allowed her to learn project management while exploring different engineering fields.

“We kept talking with people and found out they had just added these new heat lamps, so we knew that was one problem,” said Likely, whose energy rises when she discusses anything related to engineering.

“We discovered that the heat lamps were too hot and causing the bodies (cadavers) to heat up,” said Likely, who wasn’t phased working beside the dead. “Air flow was the other issue. Instead of

by Mary Billiter, Wyoming Department of Education

pushing air out of the room, the air flow wasn’t going the right way.”

Figuring out how an object functions comes naturally to Likely.

“I didn’t grow up playing with Barbies,” she said. “I had this strange ability to know where things should be and how they should work.” Likely was drawn to Legos, Lincoln Logs and broken gates.

“My grandparent’s farm was hit by a tornado, and I really wanted to fix the gate. I had this desire to know how to put a gate together, to know how it works,” said Likely, who frequently visited her grandparent’s farm in Henry, Nebraska. “I spent quite a bit of time outside playing in the old barn trying to fix it up, including the horse gates, chutes, roof, and the walls that were falling apart.”

Likely’s interest in fixing things continued throughout her schooling. The Cheyenne native attended Central High School where she enrolled in a drafting class taught by Brian Stevenson.

“I learned to draft, and Mr. Stevenson introduced me to SkillsUSA,” she said.

The purpose of SkillsUSA is to prepare students for technical, skilled, and service careers. Students can compete at the local and state levels in a variety of competitions. From automotive maintenance and light repair to architectural drafting, SkillsUSA provides a successful model of employer-driven workforce development.

Initially, Likely wasn’t interested in SkillsUSA, so she didn’t compete.

“Then Mr. Stevenson made me sign a paper that if I didn’t compete in SkillsUSA the next year, he wouldn’t pass me,” she said with a sweet laugh. “He invested in me. He showed me how interactive SkillsUSA was and how it took me outside books. It taught me team building and then he put in a leadership position.”

Brian Stevenson instantly recognized Likely’s potential.

“She was a very talented student, and her attention to details and motivation stood out. She was just a little shy and needed some external motivation to reach her potential,” he said. “I just knew she was going to do great things and I wanted to be a small part of that.”

Stevenson taught pre-engineering classes at Central, coached football and track and served as the SkillsUSA advisor for 36 years.

“SkillsUSA focuses more on the soft skills needed to be successful in anything you do in life. Be on time, be a self-starter, work with groups, how to lead, how to network, and how to keep balance in your life,” he said.

Stevenson’s investment in Likely isn’t lost on her.

“I really credit Mr. Stevenson for everything and the direction I went with school,” she said.

Stevenson directs the credit back to Likely.

“She would have done great things no matter what. I was never worried about her. She has great parents and was already a great individual when I met her. I’m just thankful I had the privilege of being part of her success,” he said.

Likely applied for scholarships and attended the University of Wyoming for her undergraduate and graduate degrees. While at UW, she was able to job shadow, architect Stephan Pappas.

“I’d go in for a couple hours and worked with people who inspired me,” said Likely, who wasn’t paid to job shadow. “The money wasn’t a priority. It was the experience and desire to learn. I was interested in everything.”

Mentoring young professionals has always held Senator Pappas’s interest. From mentoring officers in the military to architectural college

students, when the opportunity presented itself to have local high school students job shadow him at his Cheyenne-based architectural firm, Pappas was immediately on-board.

“I was very excited to share my profession with these young minds and did so with many students over the years,” said Pappas, who Likely job shadowed.

“Jera was one of the extraordinarily talented students that was assigned to me,” he said. “Jera learned what an architect does, how we interface with clients, both individuals and with boards and committees, and how architecture is a blending of arts and sciences.”

Likely acknowledged all these little steps led to where she is today.

“These early relationships and connections in life help you later,” said Likely, who later worked with Pappas in her professional career as senior project engineer at Martin/Martin Wyoming.

“Jera has worked as a structural engineering consultant for my firm on may projects over the course of many years, and it has been a pleasure to work with her. I can tell you from experience, when it comes to job excellence and community involvement, she is an all-star. She is very demanding on herself, striving to do the right thing, even when no one is looking,” said Pappas.

Likely joined Martin/Martin Wyoming a week after she graduated with her masters of science degree in civil engineering from UW. Martin/Martin Wyoming is a structural and civil engineering firm based in Cheyenne, with locations in Sundance, Wyoming, and Fort Collins and Lakewood, Colorado. Likely’s been with the firm 10 years.

“We maintain staff that teach at UW, so we’re always aware of top students” said John Shaffer, who is president of Martin/Martin Wyoming. “Jera’s exceptional. She was at the top of her class. She’s very well-spoken and driven.”

Besides Likely’s impressive education, her connection to Wyoming contributed to her hiring.

“She has family and history to Wyoming. She has a reason and ties to be here,” said Shaffer, who assigned Likely as the project manager for the Blue Federal Credit Union Headquarters located in Cheyenne on Pershing Boulevard.

“It was a very public project and we needed someone who could handle a public program from start to finish,” said Shaffer.

Shaffer encourages any high school student who’s always “fiddling with stuff” and likes “problem-solving” to consider a career in engineering.

“If you’re technology-minded, very curious and like to work with others, engineering is a good fit,” said Shaffer, who hit the ski slopes versus the books after graduating high school.

“I went to Steamboat. After a while, I had a conscious soul-searching and realized I can’t spend the rest of my life skiing and making calzones,” he said with a wide smile. “I like to build stuff, so I thought, ‘What can I do that doesn’t involve a shovel, but still keep in construction?’”

Likely’s path toward engineering was different than Shaffer’s, yet they share the same passion for architecture.

“To build something from the ground up and take a client’s idea, that may be sketched on a napkin, to an actual building, leaves an imprint,” said Likely, who compares the process to another medium she loves.

“You work on a project for so long and then you drive around, look at it, and knew you were a part of something that will be around for a long time, is its own art.”