Boys State delegates visit WYDOT HQ

By Mark Horan

Four high school juniors spent the morning of June 16 visiting with WYDOT staff in Cheyenne as part of their Boys State experience.

During their time on campus, the students met with Executive Staff, learned about various Wyoming Highway Patrol vehicles, and got to check out some heavy equipment in the maintenance and rigging shop.

The students were part of a group of nearly 50 delegates from around the state that came together for a week-long deep-dive on Wyoming government.

Though most of their activities took place in Laramie, the students spent a day in Cheyenne to tour the Capitol and visit with some of Wyoming’s elected officials and legislature.

In the Boys State program, each individual is assigned a role as an elected official, state commissioner or head of agency. As part of their time in Cheyenne, delegates were able to spend a couple hours visiting specific agencies related to their roles.

Representing WYDOT was “Director” Zach Orsborn from Newcastle, “Aeronautics Commissioner” Easton Stanford from Glenrock, ”Chief Engineer” Caleb Miller from Cheyenne, and “Colonel” Carter Bradshaw from Lyman.

Assisting in the tour process were Equipment Program Manager Bryan Wenger, District 1 Equipment Supervisor Jesse Burgess, Area Maintenance Supervisor Brian Erickson, Sgt. Jeremy Beck, Lt. Leo Ferguson, Lt. Dustin Ragon and members of the Public Affairs Office.

Interim Director Darin Westby, a former Boys State delegate himself, welcomed the group and encouraged them to consider joining the WYDOT family after they graduate from high school.

The young men appeared to enjoy the tour and were gracious to staff throughout the visit. Perhaps someday their names will show up in the WYDOT employee directory.

According to their website, Wyoming Boys State, held annually in June, is a chance for high school juniors from across the state to participate in a week’s worth of activities to gain knowledge of their state and its governmental structure. Delegates learn first-hand how government works, experiencing what it takes to create and enact laws. The week emphasizes leadership, civic engagement and patriotism.

Girls State, a similar event for young women, is held in Wyoming every few years. The Boys and Girls State programs are sponsored by the American Legion and have been in existence for more than 80 years.