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After 30 years with Head Start in Saratoga, which operates under Carbon County Child Development, Pat Forbes is retiring as director. Forbes had an interesting journey before working at Head Start. While she always loved kids, childcare was not a career she planned on from the start. “I was going to be a stewardess. I had a degree in Spanish and Sociology. In 1974, when I graduated from college the first time, there was a fuel embargo. Everything shut down in the United States, including Pan A...
Since 1993, the Platte Valley Arts Council has been enriching the quality of life in the area and expanding educational opportunities for all forms of the arts, whether it is music, literature, dance, visual arts, or theater. Its mission is “to foster awareness of and participation in any form of the arts, with the aim of developing vibrant and cohesive communities.” The arts council’s purpose is to keep Art in our everyday lives. In the year 2000, the arts council began awarding schol...
As high school seniors were practicing their graduation walks and making sure they had all their assignments turned in before accepting their diplomas, Saratoga Head Start held its own graduation. Part of Carbon County Child Development, Head Start held their graduation ceremony on May 22 at the Platte Valley Community Center Theater. Saratoga Head Start Director Pat Forbes led the commencement along with other Head Start staff as they showcased what students had learned for the school year,...
Fifth graders from across the county took a field trip to the Carbon County Courthouse to participate in a mock trial on May 21. Students from Rawlins, Saratoga and Baggs participated in the mock trial to learn about the judicial system with two groups at the courthouse. One held their trial at 9 a.m. and the other at noon. During the mock trial itself, students were given different roles, with some students given scripts and acting as witnesses, and others becoming members of the jury. The...
It was recently announced Saratoga Middle High School alumni Whitney Bennett made the President’s Honor Roll for Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs. Bennett, who graduated from SMHS in 2023, earned a 3.72 grade point average and was one of 91 students listed on the honor roll. Chase Kennedy and Mackenzie Priest, who are both set to graduate from Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) Junior/Senior High School this year were listed on the Part-Time Honor Roll for Western Wyoming Community College. Kennedy earned a 3.33 grade p...
It was a day of laughter, joy, tears, and happiness as Saratoga seniors took part in college signing day on Senior Fischer Williams said he had almost forgotten about signing day. He said he ended up wearing his crazy shorts when he signed his letter. “It was a lot of fun and I almost forgot it was happening,” Williams said. “It is exciting to come together with my family and friends on this special day.” Williams has signed a letter of commitment to Northwest College (NWC) and wants to major i...
Encampment preschool, kindergarten, and upper-grade students had the opportunity to experience what it is like to work on a ranch with the sounds of goats, cows, and cattle dogs and the sight of tractors and bailers. Encampment K-12 hosted its inaugural agriculture day on Wednesday, May 8. This event received support from students of local ranchers, businesses, and Encampment FFA. Students and the community took the time to see how ranchers work their day-to-day operations. Justin Stern, Water R...
Local law enforcement hosted a bike safety rodeo at the Platte Valley Community Center on Wednesday, April 24. The purpose of the event is to educate young children on bike safety regulations such as wearing a helmet and abiding by traffic laws. It is also a good way for the children to interact with first responders who protect and serve the community. Members of the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, Saratoga Police Department, and South Central Wyoming Emergency Medical Services (SCWEMS) were pr...
Mike Erickson, principal at Encampment K-12 School, will be retiring at the end of the school year after 19 years with Carbon County School District No. 2 (CCSD2). On March 5, a community forum giving parents and staff a chance to speak with Erickson’s possible replacement was held. Jacob Johnston and A’Lisa Mueller, both made their case on why they should be picked as the next principal at Encampment. Both Johnston and Mueller took questions from the audience with Robin Brown as the mod...
Encampment K-12 School’s recent Books and Breakfast was in honor of local first responders. On March 6, parents, students, teachers and first responders met at the Encampment School Library to spend time reading together. This event encourages students to read books and improve their reading skills. After reading at the library, members of the community had breakfast in the cafeteria with local heroes who made important sacrifices in protecting children and the Plate Valley Community. This w...
Lesley Urasky, a science teacher at Saratoga Middle/High School in Saratoga, Wyoming, has been named the 2024 recipient of the American Geoscience Institute’s (AGI) Edward C. Roy Jr. Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching. Urasky earned both her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in geology from the University of Wyoming and has achieved National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification in science as well as National Geographic certification in education. In her 2...
American families are expected to spend record-high amounts this back-to-school season. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), families with children in elementary, middle and high school will spend $890 on average for school items, while those with college-aged students are looking at more than $1,360 in shopping expenses. Whether your kids are off to kindergarten or college, here’s how you can shop smarter and prepare for the school year: - Upgrade Your Devices. Electronics and tech are a top priority for families this school s...
Is the SAT or ACT on the horizon for your high schooler? A lot of emphasis is placed on college entrance exams, and your child may be anxious about their scores. To adequately prepare for the SAT or ACT, consider these tips: - Practice, practice, practice: Encourage your student to take free online practice tests early and often. Not only is this an effective way to get familiar with the types of questions that will be on the test, it can give your child a sense of where they stand currently...
Funding is often the largest hurdle to improving access to data and resources in Wyoming. But amid the opioid crisis, another challenge has emerged: deciding how to spend millions of opioid settlement dollars flowing into the state. In late January, the Wyoming Department of Health reported it would use part of its $4.38 million in anticipated settlement money to expand access to opioid use disorder treatment, training and outreach. As far as data goes, WDH plans to spend $575,000 on...
Since 1993, the Platte Valley Arts Council has been enriching the quality of life in the area and expanding educational opportunities for all forms of the arts, whether it is music, literature, dance, visual arts, or theater. It’s mission is to “to foster awareness of and participation in any form of the arts, with the aim of developing vibrant and cohesive communities.” The arts council’s purpose is to keep Art in our everyday lives. In the year 2000, the arts council began awarding scholarships to high school seniors who demonstrated that ar...
Spirits were high at the Saratoga High School as the Class of 2023 graduated. The ceremony began with Principal JD Johnson welcoming everyone, and speaking about the class. Johnson was followed by teacher Jason Williams, leading everyone in a prayer. Next, class president Gabby Johnson spoke. Gabby Johnson started her speech by asking the audience to stand up and spin, saying "I read that if you moved your audience they would never forget you, and we're a pretty unforgettable class so I didn't...
Joe Gaspari knows the importance of taking care of our children and raising them up "in the way that they should go". "I consider it an honor to be chosen. I'm here to help the people's voices continue to be heard in regards to their children's education," said Gaspari when asked about his reaction to being appointed. He was elected to serve on the Carbon County School Board District #2 (CCSD2) Board of Trustees and has been a board member since 2010. In 2023 he was appointed to serve on the...
School music programs are struggling everywhere, and Saratoga's schools are no different. Shirley Hillyard, President of the Platte Valley Arts Council (PVAC) reached out to Ivy Palmer, the band instructor for Saratoga elementary and middle school, asking if they needed anything. Hillyard said, "I soon realized that the need was far greater than I had anticipated." She was told that the funds needed were approximately $7000.00. Hillyard said PVAC has funds available and they are working on...
