82717 March/April 2018 by Outliers Creative

MARCH / APRIL 2018

WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S EDITION

MARCH / APRIL 2018

82717 Features

Life: Outliers’ Elite 8 And the winner is... Hey, y’all! We’ve crowned our first-ever ELITE 8 Award winners — All powerful, accomplished business women under the age of 40 who are shaping the community of Campbell County, Wyoming, in unique and impactful ways. Join Stephanie on page 33 to see how the (ELITE) West was won!

My Thoughts with Mark Christensen This month, Mark acknowledges women in Campbell County who are agents of change, encourages more women to get involved in politics at all levels, and invites the public to come forward to talk about the Clean Power Plan. He also speaks on the need for our community to establish a ‘new normal’ in terms of production and revenues.

MARCH / APRIL 2018

#InGoodTaste: What’s Good with Cruelty-Free Makeup?

Letter from the Editors: Pretty Powerful

Find out what’s good with cruelty-free makeup in and around the 82717 as Bailey explores her next new obsession, flips China the bird, and offers up the 411 on all things beauty and fur baby-friendly.

Stephanie speaks on why we chose to create an entire issue dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of women — including those who work right here at OC — and introduces our inaugural Women’s Issue of 82717 Magazine. It’s just one page turn away. Go on... Flip it (we know you want to).

WHC WYO. COM MARCH / APRIL 2018

82717 Features Staff Feature: The Women of OC We gathered up the girls, raided Erika’s closet, and drank a few stiff Bloody Mary’s in preparation for a dolled up photoshoot with photogrother Jeffery Lee Miller. The end result, a wicked celebration of the women who make this magazine tick. Find us on page 15. We hope you like it.

Community: Kaden Simonson 5K Run with Project Sem;Colon

Health: New Equipment Allows Women to Stay Local

Medical: Welcome to NE WY Surgery Center

After losing her son, one local woman moves to the forefront of suicide prevention and awareness in Campbell County with husband, Mike, at her side. Trish Simonson sits down with 82717 to talk about suicide, their upcoming 5K, and the scholarship it funds.

Early detection is the most critical issue in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. That’s why regular mammograms are so important for all women over 40. Felicia talks about an important screening tool — a stereotactic breast biopsy procedure — CCH uses to help local women identify any abnormalities.

... a multispecialty outpatient surgical center located in Gillette, where there’s a wide variety of surgical procedures performed.

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Editorial CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Erika C. Christensen MARKETING DIRECTOR Stephanie L. Scarcliff CHIEF OF STAFF Lisa A. Shrefler MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE Megan E. Benton newyo@mcllc.net EDITOR Bailey I. Knopp CONTRIBUTORS Kevin M. Knapp Hannah M. Sheely ART DIRECTOR Richard W. Massman DESIGNER Candice E. Schlautmann PHOTOGRAPHER Jeffery L. Miller

Inquiries & Customer Service Outliers Creative, LLC P.O. Box 3825 • Gillette, WY 307.686.5121 • 82717@mcllc.net

ON THE COVER We celebrate extraordinary and inspirational trailblazers from across a variety of fields, including business, education, entertainment, art, and politics with our first annual ELITE 8 Awards. This year’s recipients—all women—represent some of Campbell County’s most spirited and influential game changers. Like it or not, these eight women are taking over the 82717. Meet them. Photo by Jeffery Lee Miller

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82717 is a publication of Outliers Creative, LLC © 2018, all rights reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or part, without written permission is prohibited. This magazine accepts freelance contributions. 82717 is not responsible for loss, damage, or any other injury to unsolicited manuscript, unsolicited artwork (including but not limited to drawings, photographs, or transparencies) or any other unsolicited materials. Outliers Creative, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The MC Family of Companies, LLC.

Pretty Powerful A

few months back, we began to put together the vision for 82717 Magazine, and craft it into what we wanted it to be, and what we thought it could become. From the start, a reoccurring theme emerged: the strength and tenacity of Campbell County women. We came across story after story of incredible women doing some pretty phenomenal things: women investing in others, inspiring change, building a community of creatives, leading, innovating, and thriving—both at the workplace and on the homefront. Their stories were told with so much love, passion, and enthusiasm that one morning (over lattes) the concept for a women’s issue was born, almost on a whim, but also out of necessity. It wasn’t long before we set to work making what you’re holding now: An extra special issue dedicated in its entirety to showcasing (some of ) the incredibly strong and inspirational women who help to make this community whole. On behalf of our publishing team and editorial staff — a small, but mighty force that I am proud to call my ‘MC Family’ — we are honored and humbled to be able to present to you the first-ever Women’s Issue of 82717 Magazine! Inside, you’ll find we’ve rounded up the stories behind just a teensy dash of Campbell County’s most influential young women from across the worlds of local politics, art, culture, entertainment, education, activism, and beyond. We’ll celebrate the doers and their doings; powerful women, without which the industries, families, and social causes they champion would be at a loss. We’ll put our own luminous ladies – The Women of OC — front and center for a sassy photoshoot, and on the hot seat (see page 15) to talk about who inspires their greatness. Then, we’ll crown the city’s inaugural Elite 8 Award Winners: ALL WOMEN! Young, successful, game-changing business professionals and entrepreneurs (some both), who are shaping the community we love

and its future generations. Oh, yeah... And, these incredibly inspirational role models are also the issue’s stunning, showstopping covergirls! Spoiler Alert: Here comes the f-word. Now, because we’ve chosen to celebrate women with this publication, we all must be a bunch of man-hating lesbians and FEMINISTS — right? Wrong! Far from. In fact, each of the wildly independent and buoyant women on our mag squad represent exactly one-half of the responsible parties in their respective

households (no more and no less). We love our men! And, they love us (and, we love that)! But, we’re not about to make a Men’s Issue, either. What gives? Frankly, men have not faced the same systematic historical oppression that women have experienced: Just ask Madeline Albright, the first female Secretary of State; Noor “Nora” Inayant Khan, the under-recognized WWII war hero who sacrificed her life to defeat the Nazis, was killed by her captors after 10 months in brutal captivity, and literally died demanding “liberty”; or Sacajawea, who showed Lewis and Clark the way while carrying a baby on her back for over a thousand miles. For decades,

women have been making a difference in the lives of many, arguably without the same level of praise and recognition as their male counterparts. But, we’re making strides toward gender equality, and I believe that our workplace is representative of that. And, that’s pretty powerful. Yet, gaps remain in Campbell County, Wyoming, and the U.S. as a whole. Did you know that less than 100 years ago women didn’t have the right to vote here? For the suffragists, change didn’t happen overnight. In fact, it took decades. And, if we don’t celebrate the trailblazers, women committed to fighting for what most consider to be basic rights, then any advancements and progress are for naught. Like each issue before it, this one’s chock-full with lots of love and other hella fun stuff (including remarkable photographs from our own Jeffery Lee Miller), and is backed by countless (wo)man-hours. But, unlike any single issue to proceed it, its aim is simply to inspire... And, we think that’s something that both men and women can get behind. So... without further ado, here’s to the hardworking ladies of Campbell County, Wyoming, and Outliers Creative, LLC (“OC”), a subsidiary of The MC Family of Companies, LLC, and publishers of 82717 Magazine! We see you... Out there achieving! Keep it up, Darlings. This one’s for you.

Stephanie L. Scarcliff, Production Editor 82717LifeMagazine.com MARCH / APRIL 2018

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More 82717 online at 82717Life.com Though 82717 Magazine may only be published once a month, don’t forget to go online to 82717Life.com to keep up with our local community. You can re-read our print stories, find a full calendar of local events, additional features from our team of reporters and community mavens, and video discussions about the stories you see here in print.

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This Month > Listening To Coal Country > Trustees Get A Progress Report On The STEM Labs > The Great Gatsby To Be Performed At CAM-PLEX

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#InGoodTaste We’ve got the best selections of stylish local living just for you! From what you wear or where you eat, to how you decorate and personalize your home, we’ll be your go-to guide for living #InGoodTaste.

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My thoughts

with

Mark Christensen

My monthly take on Our Community, Our State, Local Events & Politics Let me first say how proud I am of my staff and their so few women in politics. Election season is coming up – work in identifying a number of exceptional women in we’ll have to see if there is any change in the works. Campbell County to feature in our first ELITE 8. Unlike As I often touch on political issues, I feel I cannot many organizations that recognize exceptional members of put forward a piece this month that does not address our community, our staff has really focused on developing the listening sessions being held in the U.S. by the a profile of each lady in order to give you some insight into Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on their their life, their ambitions, their work, and what makes them proposed repeal of the Clean Power Plan. The list for awesome – we really want you to have the opportunity to those scheduled to speak at Gillette’s hearing is out and it get to know each of our winners. includes good representation from people in all industries When working on a list of this type, it goes without and walks of life who are impacted by coal production in saying that you’re going to miss Wyoming. Thank you for signing up, and exceptional people who are doing thank you for caring enough to be involved amazing things. This list is not in our political process and engaging in the all-encompassing. We hope to system. add to it each year with women I often say, as a Commissioner, I don’t in Campbell County who are have time for people who just want to setting new heights and breaking complain. If you want to bring a problem through ceilings. Many of our – and a solution – then let’s schedule some choices for this year’s publication time to sit down and talk. This is your may not be the ladies you opportunity to talk about the Clean Power traditionally think of when you Plan (CPP). see recognition lists – and that is Because the CPP’s initial publication something we are proud of. Our and adoption have had so much impact staff intentionally focused on on Campbell County, though it’s Campbell County women who implementation was ultimately blocked are social influencers, agents of by the U.S. Supreme Court until the suits change, people doing new and against it could be heard, I have chosen to exciting things in business, or devote the remainder of my piece to the challenging traditional industries proposed repeal of the CPP and to include a and thoughts. I recently “publication-worthy” version of my spoken attended a workshop devoted comments to be presented. Photo: Jenny Lee Lorenz/Jenny Lee’s Photography entirely to our new world and When I speak, I am fortunate to speak the disruptions facing business – a world where the in a number of different roles and I understand fully the biggest and most influential companies can be upset by trust provided me by those I represent as Chairman of the startups and small numbers of people. Our ladies and Campbell County Board of Commissioners, a member of their work are definitely disrupting other businesses and the ENDOW Executive Council, and most importantly, a organizations and bringing something new and exciting Campbell County citizen with young children. to 82717 territory. Four years ago, I was fortunate enough to offer Ladies, congratulations and thanks for your work and testimony to the U.S. Senate Energy & Natural Resources for being a part of our local community. Committee. At the time, I proudly shared that Campbell Additionally, I want to draw attention to the small County, in terms of BTUs, produced over 13% of total number of women in our local politics and encourage U.S. energy. Four years later, Campbell County produces more to run. As of right now, there are no female County 10% of total U.S. energy – still a major accomplishment Commissioners, no female City Council members, though – but a sign of the previous administration’s attack on Gillette is represented by a female mayor, and no State coal. Campbell County is all about “all of the above”. We Senators or Representatives who represent Campbell produce 40% of U.S. Coal, are Wyoming’s number one County that are women. Throughout Wyoming, there are producer of oil, are a major uranium producer in the U.S., very few women in the Wyoming Legislature or who serve and also have some of the best wind potential in the nation. as County Commissioners. It is unfortunate, especially in We also had great natural gas – through coalbed methane the state which first granted women the right to vote and – but as we have all learned, coalbed methane doesn’t work was the first to have a woman governor, that we now have with $2 natural gas!

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In 2008, Campbell County produced a record amount of low-sulfur, Powder River Basin coal – right at 446 million tons. In 2017, Campbell County produced roughly 262 million tons of coal – a nearly 42% decrease. I won’t tell you that all of this drop in production is associated with the Clean Power Plan. Coal has definitely been impacted by record-low natural gas prices. However, the retirement of coal plants earlier than their capital life is directly related to the Clean Power Plan. The Clean Power Plan – and comments before it – made it clear to those in the power generation industry that coal would be forced out. The costs associated with the Clean Power Plan are exceedingly high for very little percentage decrease in total CO2 emissions. It is a complete remake of our ‘electric generation’-industry based upon newfound legal authority without any legislative action. Previous expansions of regulatory authority happened through legislation – something put forward by Congress and executed by the president. The CPP is different – it is based upon a new interpretation and broad expansion of existing law – something that was clearly not intended, or it would have specifically been provided for in the law decades ago. With regard to the Clean Power Plan, by forcing states and companies to meet unreasonable reductions in CO2 emissions, the CPP forces the complete abandonment of coal-fired power. This problem is further exaggerated by tax policy that allows producers of wind and solar energy to pay utilities to take their power. I want to make sure you read that – we are causing major disruption within the power grid because the only reason the grid is stable is base load power (coal, nuclear – power that is there regardless of whether or not the sun is in the sky or the wind is blowing), but those plants are unable to compete with power from wind and solar that can actually pay your utility to take their power. If that doesn’t tell you the subsidies and policy is out of whack, I don’t know what will. It cannot be understated how much this meddling with electrical markets has the potential to damage the reliability of our U.S. power grid. America is the country it is because of our access to cheap and abundant energy – electricity being the big one. The amount of electricity per citizen is directly related to economic productivity, quality of life, life expectancy, and many other related metrics. Additionally, our U.S. power grid is so reliable due to its heavy reliance on coal and nuclear power. Though not often discussed, until there are major

advancements in energy storage, renewables cannot provide us the quality of life we have come to expect. Abandonments in coal are simply replaced with natural gas. Renewables require backup from fossil fuel sources in order to meet base load requirements and to provide power when the wind isn’t blowing and when the sun goes down. How can it be said that building two power producing units to do the job of one has a lower impact? Campbell County and Wyoming benefit from some of the lowest power prices in the U.S. – something directly related to our high use of coal-fired power. Government does have a responsibility for health, welfare, and safety. Government – at any level – however, does not have the responsibility – or right – to pick winners and losers. The Clean Power Plan chooses renewables and natural gas as the winners and makes coal the big loser! As a Campbell County Commissioner, I watched our county’s assessed valuation go from $6.2 billion to $4.2 billion just two years later – this was directly related to decreased demand for Powder River Basin coal and decreasing oil production. Though, we were able to weather this change in revenues because of savings during the good times, the Clean Power Plan is making it hard for us to put our people back to work. Unfortunately, we can’t “un-shutdown” the coal plants that were retired early, and we likely can’t put our coal miners in Campbell County back to work. We can, however, make sure that our new normal in terms of production and revenues are not further negatively-impacted by getting rid of this costly and “winner-choosing” regulation. We can, by repealing the CPP, keep our U.S. power prices low and our grid reliable. Mr. Christensen is a Gillette real estate developer, owner of a holding company which owns this publication, and member of the Campbell County Board of Commissioners. Mr. Christensen is married with two children and lives in Gillette. He has a B.S. in Finance from the University of Wyoming and M.S. in Real Estate and Construction Management from the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver. Mr. Christensen’s opinions do not reflect the opinions of this publication, the boards upon which he sits, or any organizations or agencies referenced within his comments. MARCH / APRIL 2018

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The Women of OC ere at Outliers Creative, LLC (“OC”), we have some of the most spirited, talented, gutsy, and wildly intelligent women in Wyoming. Because successful people rarely get to where they are without significant guidance and support, we asked the lovely ladies of our team to tell us about the most influential people in their lives. Here’s what they had to say:

Erika: Without a doubt, my parents. I was blessed to have great guidance, support, and love as a youth and that has most made me the person I am today. My family supported my competitive pursuits and that developed my tenacity and willingness to put forth effort to win. Not everyone can win all the time, but with hard work, dedicated practice, and desire you can achieve anything over time. I believe this combination of strengths has led me to where I am today. Lisa: Gary Bohlmeyer. He hired me as a dance instructor when I was 19–years-old and I didn’t look or feel the part: I was overweight, had long hair, and was shy. He saw through all that and hired me anyway. Under his tutelage, I became more outgoing, lost over 25 pounds, and cut my hair (so it wouldn’t keep hitting him – or our students – in the face each time I did a spin!). I worked for

Gary just four short years and, even though he passed away years ago, his faith in me and my abilities still influences me to this day. Steph: Professionally, Katherine Graham. Because, as the first woman to lead a Fortune 500 company and the first female CEO of the Washington Post, she was instrumental in the paper’s Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the Watergate scandal and helped bring down a president. Personally, my dad. Without his love influence, I would not be the woman I am today. His values and routines instilled in me the independence and gumption which strengthen and guide me still today. Bailey: Everything good about me you can bet is owed to the influence of my amazing parents, a mentor, or friend. One such mentor, Mark Kelting, was my high school track coach and 11th grade American History teacher. In a lecture on the American Revolutionary War, he said the soldiers walked through their shoes, rarely had enough to eat, and never knew when they were going home: but they woke up each morning happy, because they would ‘Live to fire another round’. They would fight another day for what they wanted, what they believed in. I wrote it down that day and never forgot it, and later incorporated it into a semicolon tattoo on my wrist.

Candice: 100% without a doubt, my Dad. Not only did he completely crush it as a single father when I was teenager (probably the worst timing ever to have put on the Mom hat, yikes), but is one of the smartest guys around. He is a self-taught computer programmer and I have him to thank for my love of exploring new concepts, asking questions, and reverse engineering things to know how they work. He has always encouraged me to be brave (it’s okay to fail), keep pushing forward, and never stop learning. Charity: My mom inspires me in so many ways. I like to say we grew up together because we’re best friends. I was ten when she started nursing school so I saw firsthand the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice it took for her to get her RN license. Now, she’s the Administrator of the Northeast Wyoming Surgery Center. She taught and inspired me to go for it and to follow my dreams. Megan: I’m inspired by my boyfriend, Ryan (who also works with us at OC, reporting for County 17). He’s courageous and stands up for what he believes in. In Ryan, I find my own courage to be the woman I am and stand up for myself. By: Stephanie Scarcliff for 82717 Photos: Jeffery Miller

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The Icon Erika C. Christensen As our Chief Operations Officer and the unspoken tactical ninja of OC (you should see this woman armed and in action), Erika oversees advertising sales and development, as well as marketing strategy for our valued clients, and the various other businesses that she and her husband own. The breadth of her work is tremendous and she is an extraordinary instrument of change and empowerment—one who channels her own personal power not only in the world of print but also to advocate for the community as a member of the Campbell County Wool Growers Auxiliary, Campbell County Cattlewomen, and Savageton Home Builders. She has served as Vice Chairman for the Energy Capital Economic Development Board, a spokesmodel for Molson Coors Brewing Company, and has worked as a marketing consultant at a Denver-based marketing powerhouse, where she coordinated marketing campaigns for clients like The Cochran Firm and Dr. 90210. The loving mother of two, and wife of Campbell County Commission Chairman and 82717 CEO and Principle, Mark Christensen, Erika sets the standard for female empowerment at OC.

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The Changemaker Lisa A. Shrefler Our all-new Chief of Staff has hit the ground running, garnered the reigns, and taken control (and we like it like that)! The epitome of kind-hearted compassion, our others-focused office manager of sorts has seemingly mastered the perfect mix of authority and restraint, bringing both balance and poise to an office once lacking... Which comes as no surprise, considering the woman’s a seasoned ballroom dancer who taught the Tango and the Cha Cha (among other styles and techniques) for countless years. Lisa is a certified notary public, with a background in client relations and sales at a national insurance provider in the West-Metro Area of Denver, and has worked extensively with the international website design and internet marketing company responsible for the web marketing of such attorneys and plastic surgeons as The Kelleher Firm, White & Stradley, and Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon Jay S. Orringer (who works on celebrities like Angelina Jolie). Lisa brings her tried and true experience and hard-earned gumption back to our Gillette-based organization following several years away, spent chasing dreams in the Colorado Rockies.

The Artist Candice E. Schlautmann The leading lady of Graphic Design and Website Development at OC, Candice has emerged as a key voice in crafting brand identities and websites for clients from a wide variety of industries, organizations, and causes. She’s teamed with OC’s toptier leadership to shape and benefit projects like the Women’s Healthcare website and multi-media launch campaign, Campbell County Community Public Recreation District’s logo and website development, as well as 82717’s brand identity and website (82717Life.com). Through her innovative creation of new business assets on social media platforms and knowledge and utilization of worldwide digital publishing platforms, she’s expanded the digital footprint and audience of our OC brands and publications. Her platform will only grow larger as she leaps into identity work for our sister company, Infinity Builders, LLC, and umbrella corporation, The MC Family of Companies, LLC. But most of all, Candice hopes to continue to inspire creatives to take action towards what they want and to think outside the box. On returning to college as a working, single mom (before marrying her loving husband), Candice says, “I was blessed to have such a strong support system of friends and family who believed in me, but I wouldn’t have been able to do it without also believing in myself”. MARCH / APRIL 2018

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The Crusader Megan E. Benton Meet Megan. In many ways, she’s the face of OC—representing our firm on the front lines as our awesome Advertising and Marketing Sales Representative. She helps our clients to maximize their advertising ROI with everything from print marketing materials, like business cards and tri-fold brochures, to ad space in any of our magazines and web and mobile-based news streams, as well as on our websites and social platforms. She serves as a connector, uniting our advertisers with their target audience through all of OC’s product and service offerings. With an interest in psychology and helping others, a personal commitment to being kind and always striving to keep an open mind, and an extensive background managing advertising accounts for established print and broadcast media outlets... She’s the perfect fit to help you to expand your business. She loves animals, the ocean, and cooking (Italian), and says she’s constantly amazed by the beauty and diversity of life. Her biggest goal in life is to, one day, be a good mother.

The Classic Charity D. Stewart As a high school senior, Charity left her Moorcroft roots to attend the prestigious Baltimore School for the Arts in Baltimore, Maryland, which is recognized as being one of the top five public performing arts schools in the country. There, she studied classical voice and admits it felt a lot like the TV show, Fame. After graduation, Charity returned home to Wyoming to pursue her love of music and fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a DJ. Due to her curious nature and a love of continued learning, it wasn’t long before she caught the news bug and realized she had a nose for reporting. As a professional news journalist, Charity has scored a ‘hat trick’ of honors, including the Wyoming Associated Press Newsperson of the Year award (three times running). At OC, she reports for the County 17 Community News Stream and she’s also one of 82717 Magazine’s most highly-read contributors. She serves the community as a Member on the Board of the Bell-Nob Swing for the Cure nonprofit, which provides financial assistance to those residents of Campbell County and Northeastern Wyoming who need a mammogram or aid in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Charity is always quick to offer kind words of encouragement and celebrate the accomplishments of others. She credits her parents with inspiring her crafty nature and instilling in her a passion of DIY projects, and for making the ordinary extraordinary. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with loved ones including her boyfriend Eric and a six-year-old black lab named Cash. MARCH / APRIL 2018

The Muscle Stephanie L. Scarcliff Hey there, I’m Steph. I grew up with a bowl cut (thanks Grandma) on the streets of Manhattan Beach, California, where I learned to push limits, shift quickly, and think BIG. I’ve been called trenchant and profane (both true), and I’m keen to pet every passing animal. I joined The MC Family of Companies, LLC, as Marketing Director in 2014, and am responsible for the marketing, communications, and creative business development efforts of the company and its subsidiaries. I played a key role in the rebrand of And More Publishing, Inc., to Outliers Creative, LLC, or “OC”, where I team with clients to establish their identity, build business and revenues. I manage the firm’s most challenging and high-value accounts, overseeing all creative and production disciplines from art and editorial to interactive and experiential, and wear my Production Editor’s hat for this monthly (which is crazy fun for me because I get to work with other creatives to craft projects we dream up and I support). My work in brand positioning at a prestigious Los Angeles agency allowed me the privilege of partnering with top entertainment corporations like Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., to name brands, products, TV series, and major motion pictures. I have experience directing national social branding and ad campaigns, and have liaised with the marketing teams of organizations like FC Dallas, the Dallas Stars, and Dallas Mavericks. Through OC, I work with local real estate brokers and agencies, ranchers, artists, nonprofits, and international ad firms. Outside the office, you can find me binge-watching Hulu with my fat cat Bob and my best friend/No. 1 fan Anthony. Either that, or we’re somewhere in the mountains with the kiddos getting dirty in a CAN-AM.

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The Supernova Bailey I. Knopp Last May, Bailey became our first-ever teenage staffer at OC—instantly bringing passion, proper punctuation, and an unsurpassed relatability to both our corporate culture and her role as Editor and Executive Administrative Assistant to the President at OC. One tool Bailey uses adamantly: social media. She sees emerging digital platforms as a way to directly connect with audiences and with no ‘permission’ from managers, directors, or any authoritytype figures needed. A true creative, when not editing for the County 17 Community News Stream, writing for our 82717 publication, or crafting social media content for our clientele, Bailey has a guitar or paintbrush in hand or headphones on. She’s often found researching her next best makeup tutorial inspo on YouTube, with pooch Ginger nearby. Now, at the ripe age of twenty, Bailey lobbies not only for improved grammar within our organization, but for local and large-scale humanitarian efforts: Having aided fundraising campaigns for the Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America, singing with the Gillette College Energy City Voices and the Gillette College Collegiate Choir, performing the National Anthem at public sporting events within our region, becoming a member of the Gillette College Alumni Association, and advocating for animal and women’s rights across the globe. MARCH / APRIL 2018

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ammography, along with regular self-exams and exams by a healthcare provider are important tools in detecting breast cancer or other abnormalities. Now, local women have access to another important screening tool — stereotactic breast biopsy. Stereotactic breast biopsy is a procedure that uses mammography to precisely identify and sample (biopsy) an abnormality within the breast. It is often used when small growths or accumulations of calcium (called calcifications) are detected on a screening mammogram. These calcifications may not appear on an ultrasound or be felt during a physical breast exam. Stereotactic breast biopsies use x-rays to locate and target the area of concern and guide the biopsy needle to the right location. After the sample is collected it is sent to a pathology lab to determine if cancer cells are present. The quicker breast cancer is detected, the faster treatment can begin. “The closest location for this type of procedure was Sheridan, Casper, or Rapid City, SD,” says Terri Kinney, Director of Radiology and Imaging at Campbell County Memorial Hospital. “When the new equipment was installed and staff training completed this summer, we now have the ability to do this relatively simple, low-risk procedure right here.” - Kinney Stereotactic biopsy takes only about an hour, is less invasive than a surgical biopsy, results in quicker recovery, and causes minimal scarring. By: Felicia Messimer for CCH Republished with permission by 82717

Pictured are CCH Radiologists Paul Rigsby, DO; Joe Lawrence, DO; and Alan Mitchell, MD. Image courtesy of CCH.

for Women with Average Risk AGE 40: Talk with your doctor about when to begin screening, Women should have the opportunity to begin screening if they choose. AGE 45: Begin yearly mammograms. AGE 55: Transition to mammograms every other year or continue with annual mammography, depending on your preferences. AGE 55+: Continue to have regular mammograms for as long as you're in good health. Source: American Cancer Society.

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What’s GOOD with ne of my best qualities is that I pick up random hobbies, become unreasonably obsessed with them, and learn everything there is to know about them. Straight up.

OLD HABITS In high school, it was jewelry making, hooping (or hoop dance), then aerial dance. College consisted mostly of me hiding out in my dorm room where I’d write songs and music, choreograph Zumba dance routines, and partake in as little social interaction as possible. Introverts feel me. I’d occupy weeks of time with online research: Google, Facebook, and other highly-reliable online resources, of course (hello YouTube tutorials!), long before delving into the actual hobby itself. I’ll admit, I’ve got a rather unrealistic need to establish a sense of structure and know exactly what can be expected before exploring. Because of this, I have developed this habit of shying away from new hobbies only until I’ve done weeks of reclusive, independent research, which I think helps me to feel

prepared when venturing into new things (I wish I had that same attitude about classes back then!).

THE NEW NEW First, a bit of history: When I was a high schooler I didn’t wear makeup except for every once in a blue moon. I could do the basics: foundation, mascara, a lip color, and even eyeliner sometimes! But man, I sucked at eye shadow. Then, I joined the Gillette College Energy City Voices show choir and was catapulted into learning the “smokey eye”. I practiced this (in secret) for months before the big end-of-the-year concert. Sadly, I confess, it was sufficient at best. But I continued on with the group into my sophomore year, and was continually forced to attempt to figure out how to do that stupid smokey eye look. When the day finally came that I got it right… and I was enthralled! Guys, I have a new obsession… Cruelty-free makeup.

THE 411

I think people like the idea of being cruelty-free and using cruelty-free products. However, I think that some may be afraid to commit to cruelty-free makeup for a few misconstrued reasons: Committing to cruelty-free makeup limits shopping options, crueltyfree makeup isn’t budget-friendly, and finally they’re afraid that doing so will somehow null and void their strictly conservative Republican Wyomingite card. Since such a card doesn’t actually exist, I’m going to go ahead and address this one first. For starters, I’m not a vegan/vegetarian, but I definitely respect and admire those who are. I grew up hunting -- that’s how my family filled our freezer when I was younger. Well, that and we would always get a half-beef from our Montana cousin’s ranch each year. Needless to say, I see nothing wrong with ethically and responsiblysourced animal products and by-products (and my dad makes the best steak). That being said, it’s 2018. New technology is hitting the market each day, and the medical

field is continuously exploding with new and improved innovative solutions to world-wide health concerns… So why in the hell are we still testing beauty products on animals? To me, that’s on the same, dated intelligence level as putting leeches on someone’s arm to cure a cold… Like, come on! But here’s the deal: a great deal of companies have already made the commitment to completely steer clear of animal testing, and so many more are continually joining the ranks of ethical practices… with ingredient-sourcing derived from equally ethical companies, final products never being tested on animals, and a solemn vow to uphold that. So… what’s keeping animal-testing facilities afloat?

FLIPPIN’ CHINA You see, The Red Dragon requires beauty products to be tested on animals in order for the products to be distributed there. Now, Mainland China represents an annual $30 billion skincare and makeup market for name brand international companies. And, although China is more at-fault for keeping these outdated policies, it’s more importantly the principle of the matter, or the ethics, in the fight against companies who continually fund and allow for their products to be tested on animals.

To me, that’s on the same, dated intelligence level as putting leeches on someone’s arm to cure a cold… Now don’t go throwing away all of your bottles and palettes that say “Made in China” just yet. Products created in China are not held to the same (low) standards. Only those that are distributed there are. Suzi Scheler with Cruelty Free Kitty explains it as follows, “The mandatory animal testing law in China aims to protect the people of China. It’s a safety measure to ensure that no harmful cosmetics will be sold in China. It’s cruel and obsolete, but like all animal testing, the goal is to ensure that products are safe for human use” (Scheler).

Cruelty-Free Makeup?! ––––Wal-Mart ––––

* Burt’s Bees (Yes! Every organic mom’s favorite chap stick now has a full line of makeup) -- burtsbees.com Ecotools – ecotools.com * E.L.F. -- elfcosmetics.com Flower Beauty ( a brand by Drew Barrymore!) -flowerbeauty.com found cosmetics -- discoverfound.com Hard Candy -- hardcandy.com * Milani -- milanicosmetics.com Perfekt -- perfektbeauty.com Physician’s Formula -- physiciansformula.com Real Techniques -- realtechniques.com Shany cosmetics - shanycosmetics.com Wet n’ Wild -- wetnwildbeauty.com

––––Walgreens–––– I have an additional speculation regarding cruelty-free makeup… I have really been enjoying the quality of (most) cruelty-free brands and formulas. Nobody wants to have a terrible, angry, week-long breakout on the face due to crappy elements in makeup ingredients. So, perhaps no animal testing encourages companies to use better ingredients to avoid human-testing disasters?! Just throwing that out there...

CRUELTY-FREE AND AFFORDABLY, TOO! Before, I mentioned two other reasons people were unsure of making the commitment to cruelty-free makeup: concern for the budget-friendliness of cruelty-free lines, and the availability. What I hope to offer you readers more than anything is assurance that you have every right to be concerned about these things. It is indeed a commitment, and it can require some trial and error to find your (new) favorite products. But, as you’ll see in the upcoming lists I’ve compiled… there are PLENTY of crueltyfree beauty brands to choose from…. Even at your local drugstore! So, without further ado, here’s a comprehensive guide for residents of 82717 to shop cruelty-free makeup brands.

Ardell -- ardelllashes.com * Burt’s Bees -- burtsbees.com Ecotools – ecotools.com * E.L.F. -- elfcosmetics.com Girlactik – girlactik.com Japonesque -- japonesque.com * Milani -- milanicosmetics.com Physician’s Formula -- physiciansformula.com Real Techniques -- realtechniques.com theBalm – thebalm.com Wet n’ Wild -- wetnwildbeauty.com

––––K-Mart––––

Ardell -- ardelllashes.com Burt’s Bees -- burtsbees.com L.A. Colors -- lacolors.com * Milani -- milanicosmetics.com Physician’s Formula -- physiciansformula.com

––Sally Beauty Supply–– Ardell -- ardelllashes.com * Bitzy (a mini makeup line!)-- sallybeauty.com * COL-LAB (a new line created especially for Sally Beauty) – sallybeautysupply.com Palladio -- palladiobeauty.com

Most of us in Gillette will make a daytrip just to shop. Are you willing to go not-too-far for your makeup (because you know I am!!)? If so, here’s a list of crueltyfree brands available at Ulta Beauty locations nearby.

––––Ulta Beauty––––

* Anastasia Beverly Hills -- anastasiabeverlyhills.com Ardell -- ardelllashes.com * bareMinerals -- bareminerals.com * BECCA -- beccacosmetics.com * Burt’s Bees -- burtsbees.com * Buxom -- buxomcosmetics.com * Cargo -- cargocosmetics.com

Catrice -- catricecosmetics.com Colourpop -- colourpop.com Essence -- essence.eu Girlactik Matte Lip Paint in Allure, $23 IT Cosmetics -- itcosmetics.com Japonesque -- japonesque.com Julep -- julep.com Morphe – morphebrushes.com PUR Cosmetics -- purcosmetics.com Pacifica -- pacificabeauty.com Perfekt -- perfektbeauty.com * Physician’s Formula -- physiciansformula.com Rodial -- rodial.co.uk Smashbox -- smashbox.com * Stila -- stilacosmetics.com * Tarte -- tartecosmetics.com * Too Faced -- toofaced.com Urban decay -- urbandecay.com * = One of Bailey’s favorite brands!

I can’t guarantee I haven’t missed a cruelty-free brand name or two on these lists. I also can’t guarantee that each of the above mentioned brands are in fact cruelty-free, as companies can, and do, make false claims regarding their cruelty free status. Double-check me. Double check them. You guys probably already know, there are so many cosmetic brands that are not sold by Wal-Mart, Walgreens, K-Mart, Sally Beauty Supply, Ulta Beauty, or Sephora… There’s indie brands, dupe brands, upand-coming brands, independent brands, etc. Here’s the deal. Just do a little research. If you can’t find info online, email the company directly and ask whether they are cruelty-free, if any of their products or ingredients are tested on animals, if they source from third parties that test on animals, if a third party tests for them, and if their products are distributed anywhere in China (except for Hong Kong, who’s not subject to Chinese government policies).

Like me, you may be surprised which brands are (and aren’t) cruelty-free. For updated lists of cruelty-free makeup brands, here’s a few online organizations to look into: Cruelty-Free Kitty at crueltyfree.com, Logical Harmony at logicalharmony.net, and Leaping Bunny Program at leapingbunny.org. By: Bailey I. Knopp for 82717 Sources: Scheler, Suzi. “Animal Testing For Cosmetics In China.” Cruelty-Free Kitty, 24 Sept. 2016, www.crueltyfreekitty.com/cruelty-free-101/ animal-testing-china/. “Makeup – Walmart.com.” Walmart.com, www.walmart.com/cp/makeup/1007040. “Beauty.” Products & Supplies Kmart, www.kmart.com/beauty/b-25104. "To Better Personalize Your Experience, Select Your State." Sally Beauty. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2018. “Shop By Brands | Ulta Beauty.” ULTA, www.ulta.com/ulta/global/nav/allbrands.jsp. “Brand List.” Sephora, www.sephora.com/brand/list.jsp.

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We invest in Energy Capital Economic Development because we believe our community benefits from new jobs, new companies, and new people, and that it is important to help our existing businesses expand. A bigger and more diverse Campbell County economy is good for employees, businesses, visitors, and all the people of Campbell County. - Dana Miller Eiland, SignBoss, LLC

ELITE 8 MARCH / APRIL 2018

MARCH / APRIL 2018

ELITE 8 So far, 2018 has been an amazing year for the incredible women in Campbell County across all disciplines and industries. For our inaugural Women’s Issue, we found it fitting to celebrate some of the city’s most fierce females — business professionals, owners, and entrepreneurs — by honoring them as recipients of our first-ever Outliers’ Elite 8 Awards, an annual tribute to strong, successful individuals who inspire us. Top L to R: Sarah Ferguson, Rapport LLC Owner; Jesse Jacobs, Campco Federal Credit Union AVP of Lending; Mo Johnson, Mo’s Tattoos Tattoo Artist and Owner; Megan Huber, Huber Farms Owner; Mary Melaragno, Energy Capital Economic Development Director of Business Retention and Expansion. Bottom L to R: Megan Shear, Gillette College Energy City Voices Assistant Director and Accompanist; Deana Phoenix, PhoenixPhotos Photography, LLC, and Little Tykes University Owner; Kaylee Mae Phillips, Tin Wagon Boutique Owner. Photo by OC Staff Photographer Jeffery Miller. MARCH / APRIL 2018

And the award goes to... This year's list includes names you will recognize as well as under-the-radar innovators whose inspiring success stories we don’t often hear.

state. That’s right, we said Cadillac. You see, Kaylee creates value for exclusive haircare products and helps people to feel good about themselves — so much so that it helped to put her in the driver’s seat of Caddy XT5. Proven to be more than just a pretty face, she’s actively working to empower and uplift women, while promoting self-confidence inside and out. As an example, alongside a fellow female entrepreneur, Kaylee hosts an annual conference in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, for women in the Western fashion industry. It serves as a network-building opportunity for bloggers, influencers, retailers, photographers, designers, and other like-minded business women to connect and share success stories and best practices. We predict Kaylee’s relevance is poised to continue to grow far beyond the confines of a simple Snapchat story, Instagram pic, or Facebook tutorial.

Kaylee Mae Phillips Meet Kaylee: She’s Trending Award-winning Tin Wagon Boutique founder and owner, Kaylee Mae Phillips, is on a mission to empower women with her Western flair for fashion and an unmatched passion to bolster Hair Revival in Wyoming. And, as Gillette’s most largely celebrated breakout retailer, it’s no wonder Kaylee’s one of the city’s most prolific and coveted young entrepreneurs. She was nominated for Campbell County Entrepreneur of the Year 2017, and won Wyoming Store Front of the Year 2017 and Overall Wyoming Boutique 2017. But, that’s just her main hustle. This drop-dead gorgeous twenty-something also represents a naturally-based anti-aging hair care company, in which she’s built an organization of over 1,300 clients and 140 business partners to become the company’s 1st Cadillac earner in the

MARCH / APRIL 2018

Morgan “Mo” Johnson Professional Tattooist Mo is a local tattoo artist, entrepreneur, and model. She’s best known for her work in the realm of portrait realism; hyperrealist tattoos depicting

animals, people, flowers, etc., in extreme detail. But, you might also recognize her from the pages of Tattoo Envy Magazine, where she’s modeled her own ink alongside the likes of Inked icon Scarlett Lash and Italian adult film star Elena Grimaldi. The exclusive industry publication has also showcased models who are Mo’s clients (and... you thought you couldn’t get great ink in Gillette). Mo knew art was her calling as soon as she was able to hold a pencil... And began an apprenticeship under Mikkael Chick at Alien Ink before she could even legally drink a beer. She then worked with John Harvey at Felony Ink and later Erin Monroe at Love Sick Ink Denver. Now 26, Mo owns and operates her own business, Mo Tattoos, a tattoo shop on 2nd Street in Gillette... It’s where she fell for client Ben Johnson, whom she married within six months. Together (a year later), Mo and Ben welcomed daughter Quinn into their fam on April 15, 2016. She aspires to be someone that her daughter can look up to. Mo’s expanded her shop to include two other talented artists: Tyler Richardson and Chris McInturff, who help her and the shop keep their consistent 5-Star Rating (five years running). She competes with other artists at large-scale national events and conventions, including the Colorado Tattoo Convention and Expo and the Houston Tattoo Extravaganza, among others, and won the Fans’ Choice Fan Excellence Business 40 Award in 2016. “No matter what industry you are in, even [one] as unorthodox as [being] a tattoo artist, you can be a professional and take pride in your work,” Mo says. And, we couldn’t agree more... Because, not all of a community’s most influential business leaders fit one specific mold. Mo’s turned her passion into a profitable craft (and business), and has established that women can do (and capitalize on) this art form just as well as men can (maybe better). Although women were (and maybe still are) the minority in this field, Mo serves as an inspiration to women who want to pursue industries where they aren’t sure if they will be accepted or be able to make a difference. Her personal and professional achievements for both female entrepreneurs and women in the tattoo industry are as meaningful and permanent as the ink she doles out. So, what’s next for this talented young artist? She’s teaming with the AVA Community Art Center to produce a local gallery show of tattoo art. Epic — right?!

scene for the city with the opening of Rapport LLC in November. The new gallery emphasizes local artists and collections, as well as books. We can dig it. Joining the mix of edgier spaces on Gillette’s Downtown Main Street, Rapport Art Gallery (and its owner) openly support women working in the visual arts business, and plans to continue to emphasize the work of all fine artists, no matter what gender. In Sarah, the art of reinvention takes form and blooms. Get it, girl!

Sarah Ferguson Prima gallerista Sarah is single-handedly changing the art (gallery) scene in Gillette. And, it all happened by beautiful happenstance (someone cue the white doves). In case you don’t already know, this is Sarah. And... It’s her art world, we’re just living in it. You might know her work: she’s shown it around Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming. She organized the ART TALK Facebook group for community artists to gather and collaborate, and she’s also worked on multiple mural projects around town including the interior of the new Energy Station on Lakeway Ave. and the community mural on the side of the Rapscallions building. In 2017, Sarah graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design and Media Arts. With six years of freelance design work already under her belt, she was ready to take on her next big challenge. As such, she interviewed with several companies around town and in surrounding cities, and received a few offers. None of which seemed exceptionally appealing. Almost on a whim, Sarah made the brave decision to branch out on her own, become her own boss, and open up shop downtown. With the help and support of her family (and a few inspired entrepreneurial friends), Sarah created an art gallery

Mary Melaragno Queen of Kind If you’re not familiar with Mary Melaragno and her work on behalf of the Energy Capital Economic Development nonprofit as Director of Business Retention and Expansion, get ready to learn everything you need to know about her thoughts on the current Optional 1% Sales Tax, its campaign for reinstatement, and why it’s Campbell County’s best bet for sustainability and futurity. We’re kidding. Here, we simply share a list of (our favorites from a much lengthier list of ) her greatest accomplishments (we suggest you hunker down for this).

Mary graduated from the Oklahoma University of Economic Development Institute in 2014. In under a year’s time, she was recognized as one of the Wyoming Business Report’s “40 under 40”, which celebrates emerging young leaders across Wyoming who make a difference in their companies’ industries and communities. She was chosen for her work on behalf of the various community organizations she supports, chiefly the Fur Kids Foundation where she serves as founder and president. Mary helps to facilitate organizational efforts for FKF to provide education and aid to families with animals in Campbell County. Of her work on behalf of the foundation, Mary says, “Being able to help families in our community is humbling, yet gratifying.” FKF has helped more than 500 families and granted more than $84,000 in aid... Mary says she’s, “a wee bit proud of that.” Previously, she has been involved with Gillette Main Street and the Rotaract Club of Gillette. She now serves as a member of the Rotary Club, as well as a member of the Kindness Wyoming board, which her Leadership Wyoming team founded as their class project. At ECED, Mary works with local businesses and assesses their needs to identify and implement how ECED can help. She works to plan events, assists with grants, and much more. But her work is not just about helping existing businesses, or explaining and demonstrating a return on investment for the organization’s vested members... It’s about the economic stability and much-needed self-actualization of an entire community to commit to the continued and ongoing investment in its own long-term success (which is no easy feat). She helped create and implement the community’s five-year strategic plans for 2010 to 2015 and 20152020, and leads or coordinates on business and industrial park projects and fiber optics studies. Last year, she graduated from Leadership Wyoming. When she’s not working tirelessly for the betterment of our community through economic diversification, stabilization, and expansion, Mary enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, Brandon, and their adopted dogs Daisy, Sampson, and Hank, as well as their adopted cats, “Old Man” Gator, Lloyd, and Tubby. On paper, the above listed are the reasons why we love Mary oh, so very much, and why she’s being honored now as a first-ever Elite 8 recipient. If, like us, you have the privilege of knowing Mary either personally or professionally, then you already know that this isn’t the half of it. MARCH / APRIL 2018

MARCH / APRIL 2018

artists (like her) and inspires others through art. “As artists, in a small community, we don't always have opportunities to shine. It’s been my goal since early on [in my career] to bring the photographic community together,” she says. Deana is more and more engaged in several aspects of the community and always seeking out new and innovative ways to continue to grow her network — a large group of creatives who look to her for inspiration. “Whether it be in business practices, or operation, many look to the success of PhoenixPhotos as a positive example of self-networking,” she says. Deana calls herself an average person. To us, she’s anything but. So, cheers to the ladies of Campbell County, Wyoming, who, like Deana, find joy in the successes of others. We need more women like this!

Deana Phoenix Thrice CEO This professional photographer turned self-made CEO is continuously building her brand to bolster her work and, perhaps more importantly, the works of other creatives. Driven to see others achieve, Deana launched the NE Wyoming Photography Club in 2014, and served as its acting president throughout the course of its three-year lifespan. Through the club, she built a safe haven for the photographic community, where photographers from all over the area could come together to learn and grow, and form a sense of community while promoting one another’s artistic and entrepreneurial pursuits. Inspired to grow their family and to help children in need, Deana stepped away from the club in 2017 so that she and her husband could begin fostering. Together, they continue to touch and shape the lives of foster children. Deanna also owns two businesses, PhoenixPhotos Photography, LLC, and the Little Tykes University preschool, where she is involved in the day to day activities and operations of each. She recently started up her own photographers' publication called Ramé Magazine, which features

Megan Shear Sing her praises Gillette College Energy City Voices Assistant Director and Accompanist Megan Shear has

been inspiring the tunes of the collegiate pop rock ensemble since its inception in 2011. But, that’s not all she’s inspired. Over the past seven years, students, peers, and associates of Megan’s have been known to sing her praises for her compassionate teachings, guidance, and mentoring. One student in particular, a female ECV alumni, says, “Megan cares about us... Not just our vocal abilities, either. She cares about our studies, our minds, our hearts, and our futures.” As a coach, mentor, teacher, and friend, she’s helped the group’s director, Dennis Gilbar, to grow the program — and its talented pupils — into quality ambassadors for the college. As the mother of two amazing young boys (Carson, 9, and Caden, 10), Megan laughs adorably as she tells us that she often feels like she’s raising 15 teenagers in addition to her own sons (referring to her students). “Helping to raise, instruct, and guide youths of all ages is my passion,” she says. We’d argue she’s doing more than just helping. Alongside Dennis, Megan is developing confidence and polished social graces that will help their students to achieve their personal and professional goals. These skills transition into the kind of self-confidence, corporate etiquette and protocol that make getting a job, keeping it, and moving up within an organization more likely. Grounded in a firm ‘family first’-mentality, Megan’s part-time work with the program has allowed for her to continue to pursue her passion for family, music, and mentoring local youths. “Sometimes we as teachers and parents don’t get to know our impact on our students and children, but we still need to strive to try our very best each and every day to shape their lives in genuine and wonderful ways.” – Megan (If this doesn’t inspire you, we don’t know what will). As humble as she is unknowingly beautiful, Megan’s grace and personal presence serves as an example for all. She attributes both her personal and professional growth to her loving husband Jared, and their two sweet boys. Watch for this former seven-year Campbell County Children’s Chorale accompanist to have a hand in the education and mentoring of Gillette College’s next big star. We’re not a betting bunch, but... (who are we kidding?) ... Fifty on Megan changing lives! Go big or go home. MARCH / APRIL 2018

Jesse Jacobs

in 2017 and, that same year, she received the Mountain West Credit Union Association “20 under 40” award — beating out countless other young professionals nominated across a 3-state region. This year, Jesse was selected to represent Wyoming at the Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C., as a “Crasher”. Only one candidate per state is selected to attend in this capacity, each of which must be under the age of 35 and demonstrate unparalleled professional competencies and achievements. This year’s event featured Keynote Speaker former President George W. Bush. Most recently, Jesse has been accepted into the Credit Union Executive Society’s CEO Institute, another industry-specific program which, upon completion, will garner her a Certified Credit Union Executive, or CCUE, designation. We asked Jesse about her vast wealth of accomplishments: She (modestly) named her husband, Tyler Jacobs, and their daughter, Madison, age 2.

Future CEO Confidence is important in any setting, including the workplace. But what does it mean to be a confident, successful business woman ...In 2018 ...In Wyoming? Campco Federal Credit Union AVP of Lending and HR Director Jesse Jacobs isn’t concerned with questions like this. She’s busy working (it). In fact, on the cusp of a half-decade tenure with the local financial institution, her sights are set on continued progress. Let’s start at the beginning: Jesse kicked off her career at Campco in 2013. At the time, she was barely 22. In 2015, she was promoted to a senior management position, becoming the only woman on their management team. Confident in her new role and abilities, Jesse also understood that the increasingly competitive financial institution services industry is won by those who continue to invest in bettering themselves. As such, she enrolled in an intensive credit union school, the Western CUNA Management School, which offers a 3-year program geared at helping credit union professionals keep pace with their industry’s rapidly changing business environment. Throughout her continued education with WCMS, Jesse maintained her full-time employment status. She graduated the program

MARCH / APRIL 2018

Megan Huber #momgoals The decision to move outside of town — and start a family farm — came about after Megan and her husband Chris spent a couple years in the confines of city life. Both had grown up in agricultural families — living in the country, where they had learned to work alongside their parents. It was important to the Hubers that they

feel connected to the land, and they committed to raising their three children in a similar fashion: where they could learn kindness and respect, and have room to grow and breathe. “It was an absolute for us,” Megan says about country living. “So, when we saw the for-sale sign on our current place, I literally got goosebumps.” Even the coldest heart would warm listening to Megan talk about the responsibility that comes with owning acreage and cultivating it, and how you have to be willing to care for the land, and enjoy that kind of lifestyle, because both are very physically demanding. She’s old-fashioned, in the sense that she’s asked for us not publish her children’s names in any of our magazines. And, her ‘mother hen’-mentality extends far beyond her own children (and their friends) to all their classmates and schoolmates (and the friends of their friends). A ‘regular’ in the halls of her kids’ elementary school (we’d tell you which one, but then we’d have to kill you), Megan volunteers her time to craft inspirational messages, displayed to encourage and inspire schoolkids. She’s kind-hearted, thoughtful, selfless, and artsy. She completes her double major as a Master Herbalist and Holistic Health Professional this summer — and plans to use what she’s learned to help others. She prioritizes her marriage, her children, and family over all. And if that alone is not reason enough to celebrate this woman... She’s also using old-time farm country principles to boost her family’s start-up business, and crafting some pretty cool personal projects you guys should know about as well, as featured in last month’s #InGoodTaste feature. Megan co-founded Huber Farms with hubby Chris, who also works full-time in the energy industry. Through their artistic, modern homesteading enterprise, the two create original art, custom furniture, and home décor. They refurbish and repurpose classic antiques, and paint anything Megan can get her hands on. They grow their own flowers, fruits, herbs, and veggies, amongst a slew of other things, and the kids help to raise the family’s chickens. Additionally, Megan is creating a workspace for inspired women creatives that will serve as an inclusive community and resource for freelancers and entrepreneurs looking to strengthen and grow their networks. If there’s not enough room at the table, Megan will build (and paint) a bigger table. Just imagine what would happen if a world full of women did just that: tossed their inhibitions to the wayside and stepped forward to be leaders. It’s beginning to happen all around us in Campbell County, starting with Megan. Unassuming beauty has never looked so good.

Once the vision for our inaugural Women’s Issue was born, we began to ask ourselves how we could use it as a tool to empower women—to shift their mindset, build confidence, and turn their unique skills and passions into action for positive change in Campbell County. As a result, we sought out opportunities to honor women who take on leadership roles, start businesses, and advance themselves and others. We were surprised to find little in the way of celebrating local women, despite their undeniable and copious impacts on our families, economy, and future. Something about that just didn’t fly with us... Because we believe that women with

influence and power have the ability to transform an entire community. In that spirit, I could not be prouder to have had the pleasure of introducing you to our Outliers’ 2018 ELITE 8 Award winners. As you’ve seen, they are a diverse bunch—including business owners and professionals, start-up entrepreneurs, artists, philanthropists, and social media moguls in-themaking. Most importantly, all are actively working to shape the community of Campbell County, Wyoming, as well as challenge the perception and encourage the evolution of women in the workforce. These women were hand-selected by our editors and ELITE 8 Advisory Board from a

group of over 35 women who were nominated by leading business professionals from across varied industries to represent 82717's most impactful women to watch for in 2018. For future years, the eight women represented here can join the ranks of our Elite 8 Advisory Board—which will be made up of past winners, plus our editors—to help us pass the torch. Do you know someone that is leading and innovating in Campbell County and its business communities? Tell us at 82717Life.com. We aim for next year’s list to be even more diverse and collaborative. Go Women! By: Stephanie L. Scarcliff for 82717 MARCH / APRIL 2018

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The Woman Behind Gillette’s Suicide Prevention & Awareness 5K Scholarship Run EACH YEAR, 44,965 AMERICANS DIE BY SUICIDE. -- AFSP.ORG* ...THAT’S LIKE WIPING OUT MOST OF THE POPULATION OF CAMPBELL COUNTY.

ON AVERAGE, THERE ARE 123 SUICIDES EACH DAY [IN THE U.S.]. -- AFSP.ORG ....THAT’S ALMOST EQUIVALENT TO THE 2017 GRADUATING CLASS OF WESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL.

Do those statistics unnerve you? They should. ccording to the National Center for Health Statistics, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, and in 2016 Wyoming ranked 3rd nationwide in state suicide rates. 82717 alone lost 11 people to suicide in 2017, 8 in 2016, and 13 in 2015. While those numbers are lower than some previous years, they’re not low enough. On May 8th, 2015, 15-year-old Kaden Simonson took his life. Since then, his mother Trish Simonson has passionately moved to the forefront of suicide prevention and awareness in Campbell County: heading organizations like Students that Care, and Gillette’s Project Sem;Colon (inspired by the national Project Semicolon movement) with her husband, Mike, at her side. Part of their efforts to prevent suicide -- and the stigma surrounding it -include offering a scholarship to local graduates. On March 13th, I had the opportunity to sit down with Trish and Mike to talk about suicide prevention, their upcoming event, and the scholarships it funds:

What are you guys currently working on in your suicide prevention efforts? Trish: We are working on the scholarship, because it’s coming up soon on May 8th. This year, we kind of stepped back (from previous Project Sem;Colon activities). We did do the commercial for the radio

station, and we have been doing the stuff for the 5K, but we did take a break just to kind of step back and figure out our lives. After you lose someone to suicide… It’s such a different death. It’s not like an accident, or a disease. When you lose someone to suicide you are ridden with guilt, and shame, and… It just leaves so many unanswered questions. “Why weren’t we good enough for him?” If he just would’ve looked past that moment… I know it was an impulsive decision. I think if people could just see... Just stop, and really think about… When you take your life, you don’t ever leave the chance for anything to get better. And, that’s what we want people to see, is that one bad moment does not equal a bad life.

Tell us about the purpose behind the 5K and scholarships? Trish: The scholarships, to us, aren’t exactly about suicide. They are about hope and resilience and strength…. You know, the scholarship is so important to us and the 5K is important. Because, the people who come and participate, a lot of them are survivors of suicide, which, a suicide survivor is not someone who survives a suicide attempt… It’s someone left behind because of suicide. We have a LOT of suicide survivors in this town, and we have a lot of people who suffer from suicide ideations. And, they come to the 5K and they tell us, “ You know what? This inspires me. This inspires me to keep going.” The 5K is ran mostly by high school students, and it’s so inspiring to see that the youth are coming and taking action like that. The 5K... it helps Mike and I think (and, I hope that) we are making a difference. You know, maybe there is that one kid who just thought, “I

don’t want to live anymore. Why should I live?” And yet, maybe he heard our message. Maybe he wrote an essay. Maybe he got a scholarship… and because of that he decided, “I can do this”.

What is the process for offering scholarships to local youths? Trish: Well, we have sponsors that help us to raise money for the race so that we can pay for the overhead costs, like the posters and the shirts. Mike and I try to cover as much of the overhead as we possibly can, because we want as much money as possible to go into the scholarships. But, basically the money from the 5K goes into the scholarship fund. We, in the past, have given out twenty $250 scholarships because we just couldn’t narrow it

down. There were so many good essays! This year, since college expenses are so high, we’ve decided to narrow it down to ten $500 scholarships. But, we are hoping we get a lot of people showing up for the race because we want to be able to give out extra scholarships and it is just so hard to choose, especially since we now have Thunder Basin, Westwood, and Campbell County High Schools. And, Wright’s also included in that, too! We got our MARCH / APRIL 2018

first essay from Wright this year. Then, we present the scholarships on Scholarship Night.

year after year, we’ve had such a great turnout... The community has been so supportive!

Mike: If there’s anybody out there who wants to sponsor in the future, they can sure get ahold of us!

Where can people find a 5K registration form?

How should people contact you to become a 5K sponsor?

Trish: They can be found at the Campbell County Recreation Center, Club Energize, and we have a copy available on our Facebook page, “Gillette’s Project Sem;Colon”. The City also sends them out to all city employees, and the Campbell County Courthouse sends them to all county employees, as does the school district and the hospital. Everybody’s really receptive, which is great! I think that’s because you can’t talk to a single person in this entire community that hasn’t somehow been touched by

Trish: They can call either Mike or I. Mike’s number is (307) 299-9613, and mine is (307) 2999640. We also take donations, and have an EIN number so that we can provide a tax-deductible receipt. We aren’t yet listed as a non-profit, but it might be in the cards soon. The 5K is the only annual fundraising event for the scholarship. And,

suicide or known somebody who has… unless mayve they’re brand new here. I once heard a statistic that each suicide affects approximately 120 people. And, I believe that, too, because at Kaden’s funeral… there was no room in the church. To this day, there are kids that are still affected by his choice, he still has friends that are very much affected.

Do you have aspirations to expand fundraising efforts in the near future? Trish: I do. Just ask Mike, I’m full of ideas all the time! It’s just moving forward with them… I definitely want to find more sponsors. I really suck at asking for money. I just feel guilty, which, I don’t know why because I’m asking for money so that people can help our youth to further their education goals. I need to get past that. But we do want to start asking bigger companies and organizations to support the cause, and eventually we want to turn Gillette’s Project Sem;colon into a nonprofit. Our big goal is for Project Sem;colon to really be a place of resource in Gillette. Nationwide funding for suicide prevention has been cut substantially, but in the recent budget session $1M was allocated for suicide prevention in Wyoming. I think last year Wyoming ranked 2nd or 3rd in the United States for suicide rates. Mental health is a huge problem… Mike: You’ve got to have the right people in the right place, and with the right tools. Trish: Well, and in Wyoming we live in such a rural community. For a lot of our citizens, it’s hard to get to places; we have a lot of ranchers, we have a lot of small towns, and we just don’t have any outreach for them. Mike: And there’s such a stigma, too. Most people still don’t want to talk about it. Trish: Yeah, and that’s what we’re trying to do with our efforts locally, we want to end that stigma. Because, I think if we continue on with that, people who are seriously thinking about taking their own life, they’re not ever going to get help. Mike and I always tell people, the bravest thing you’ll ever do is get help. By: Bailey I. Knop for 82717 Sources: * American Foundation for Suicide Prevention "Suicide Statistics." AFSP. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2018. "National Center for Health Statistics." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11 Jan. 2018. Web. 27 Mar. 2018.

MARCH / APRIL 2018

Community Calendar

For Gillette, Wright & Northeast Wyoming MARCH Hard Hat Cocktail Party

MARCH Closing the Skills Gap Luncheon

Mar. 15 • 4 – 6 p.m. 4338 Quarter Horse Ave. Infinity Builders, LLC: 307.658.1295

Mar. 20 • 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. The Prime Rib Restaurant and Wine Cellar Contact: 307.682.3673

Eastside RV’s Summer Fun Show

Making Cents of Real Estate

Gillette College Rodeo

NEW Career Fair

Nolan’s Lucky Day 5K Fun-to-Run

Wrangler Team Roping Champion

Burgers, Beer, & Bubba

Circle J Ranch Spring Craft Show

NEWCA Home Show

The Great Benjamin’s Circus

Spotlight Dance Cup

Streetfest 2018

Mar. 16 • 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. CAM-PLEX Central Pavilion Contact: 307.686.1435 Mar. 16 • 6 – 9 p.m. CAM-PLEX East Pavilion Contact: 307.686.0254

Mar. 17 • 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Pronghorn Elementry School Contact: 307.682.1676 Mar. 17 • 6 – 9 p.m. CAM-PLEX Energy Hall Contact: 307.689.1126

Mar. 17 - 18 • 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. CAM-PLEX Wyoming Center Contact: 307.682.3673 Mar. 17 • 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. CAM-PLEX Heritage Center Theater Contact: 208.939.2015

Mar. 20 • 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Campbell County Public Library Contact: 307.689.6154 Mar. 22 • 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Gillette College Tech Center Contact: 307.682.9313 Mar. 23 • 4 – 9 p.m. CAM-PLEX East Pavilion Contact: 406.348.2460 Mar. 24 • 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Ten Sleep, Wyoming Contact: 307.366.2241

Mar. 24 • 4:30 and 7 p.m. CAM-PLEX Central Pavilion Contact: 941.870.7444

Mar. 24 • 1 – 6 p.m. CAM-PLEX Equality Hall Ticket Office: 307.682.8802

MARCH / APRIL 2018

Community Calendar

For Gillette, Wright & Northeast Wyoming MARCH Dance Outreach Ballet Workshop Mar. 24 • 2 – 3 p.m. CAM-PLEX Heritage Center Theater Ticket Office: 307.682.8802

Gillette’s Got Talent

Mar. 24 • 7 – 9 p.m. CAM-PLEX Heritage Center Theater Ticket Office: 307.682.8802

Clean Power Plan Listening Session Mar. 27 • 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Gillette College Tech Center Contact: 307.266.0592

Pete the Cat

Mar. 29 • 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. CAM-PLEX Heritage Center Theater Ticket Office: 307.682.8802

Protecting Your Assets

APRIL The Millenilas Concert Apr. 6 • 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. The Office Saloon Contact: 307.687.7713

EMS University

Apr. 12 • 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. CAM-PLEX Energy Hall Contact: 307.688.6040

Artist Reception: Sarah Ferguson

Apr. 13 • 5 – 7 p.m. CAM-PLEX Heritage Center Gallery Ticket Office: 307.682.8802

The Great Gatsby

Apr. 13 • 7 – 9 p.m. CAM-PLEX Heritage Center Theater Ticket Office: 307.682.8802

CAM-PLEX Garage Sale

Mar. 29 • 5:30 – 7 p.m. Primrose Retirement Community Contact: 307.682.8800

Apr. 14 • 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. CAM-PLEX Wyoming Center Contact: 307.682.0552

Power Your Future Mixer

Book a Birthday!

Twisted $isters $ Run Barrel Race

PRS Spring Gems

Mar. 29 • 5 – 7 p.m. Gillette College Pronghorn Center Contact: 307.686.0254 Mar. 30 • 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. CAM-PLEX East Pavilion Contact: 307.660.8466

Apr. 14 • 1 – 3 p.m. CAM-PLEX Central Pavilion Contact: 307.682.0552

Apr. 15 • 3 – 5 p.m. CAM-PLEX Heritage Center Theater Contact: 307.682.8802

Empty Bowl Fundraiser

Apr. 28 • 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. Campbell County Senior Center MARCH / APRIL 2018

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Gillette College sheridanedu.com 307.686.0254

Gillette Dental PC

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Women’s Resource Center wypregnancyhelp.com 307.685.2211

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