UW signing day scheduled Monday in local high schools

WORLAND — The University of Wyoming Office of Admissions and Wyoming 4-H are partnering to give academic students who are furthering their academic career in college, the same opportunity as athletes, providing a statewide signing day.

With the national deadline fast approaching for college enrollment confirmation scheduled Monday, May 1, the University of Wyoming Office of Admissions is partnering with Wyoming 4-H to host “UW Signing Day” in various high schools across the state.

Even though some of the events will occur after the May 1 deadline, events will still take place in some Wyoming communities, according to Shelley Dodd, UW Admissions director. The event is open to students who have already registered at UW, and those who wish to sign up.

“The University of Wyoming is excited to welcome the incoming freshman class for fall 2017,” Dodd said. “This is the first year we are offering this opportunity. This exciting event is an occasion for students to experience the pride of a college signing day. Students will be able to show his or her Poke Pride as they sign on as future Wyoming Cowboys or Cowgirls.”

Dodd encourages all family members to attend their respective students’ events.

University of Wyoming 4-H Director Johnathan Despain said, “[Signing Day] is a way try to recognize students that are academically-inclined or may have done well in the classroom and who are also interested in pursuing their college career. “It’s similar to athletics; it’s an opportunity to recognize students who have done well academically and are coming to the University of Wyoming.”

Despain said signing day is optional for any incoming freshman. “It’s very much a fun event. It’s an opportunity for these kids to be recognized for the fact that they are taking that next big step in their lives and for their parents to be a part of that rather than just showing up in Laramie with their car full of gear saying ‘here I am.” It’s an opportunity for them to try and transition to the university.”

Despain said the partnership between admissions and 4-H was easy. He said 4-H is a part of the UW campus. “We’re very much engaged as a youth development organization about the future of these kids. IT’s an easy correlation of the fact that we want them to pursue their education, whether at the university or other places, but as a University of Wyoming entity we definitely have a preference for the Cowboys here.”

He added that there is an Extension 4-H office in every county in the state, which makes the logistics of such an event easier.

Area events scheduled are:

—Worland High School, Monday, May 1, 9:45 a.m.

—Ten Sleep High School, Monday, May 1, 1:30 p.m.

—Riverside High School, week of May 1, drop in.

—Greybull High School, Monday, May 1, noon.

—Hot Springs County High School, Tuesday, May 2, 12:30 p.m.

—Lovell High School, week of May 1, drop in.

—Meeteetse High School, week of May 1, drop in.