Photo A. Allen- Munchkin Mayor (Waylon Cauffman) offers Beth (Alayna Moore) a lollipop before she departs to meet the Wizard during the performance of "Oz" by Don Zolidis at WHS Little Theater.

Tylee Clark

Staff Writer

Indianapolis- Six Chief Washakie FFA Members embarked on a week-long trek to Indianapolis, Indiana, to attend the FFA National Convention in October. The group included Advisor Grace Godfrey and students Lylah Geis, Tylee Clark, Laramie Trauntvein, Apsyn Hamilton, Kyston Rollema, and Dash Hart. The event took place in the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Along the way, they visited the Corn Palace in South Dakota, Plant Peddlers Greenhouse in Cresco, Iowa, Fair Oaks Dairy, Valero Ethanol Plant, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, all in Indiana. 

Students found it fascinating to learn about the Speedway's history and to see the impressive list of winners who have raced there. 

Rollema commented, “My favorite part of the trip was getting to go on the four tours: Plantpeddler, Fair Oaks Dairy, Valero Ethanol Plant, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I was very excited to be a National Finalist [at the convention]. When I walked on stage, I thought for sure I was going to be in the top 5, but I was still very happy to receive 9th place.”

Rollema explained that he and Hart worked together on this project. Their project investigates the depth of weld penetration achieved using the four categories of Shielded Metal Arc Welding electrodes: Fast Fill, Fill Freeze, Fast Freeze, and Low Hydrogen.

Hart commented that he's been to Nationals three times, and he's been the treasurer all three years. 

Hart said, “This year was great. We won 9th place in nationals for Power Structural and Technical Systems Division 6.” His favorite tours were the Indianapolis Speedway and Fair Oaks Dairy.

Godfrey commented, “I have been going to the National FFA Convention as a teacher since 1998. I have missed some years, when I moved to Worland, because we didn't qualify to go, and we would go every other year. 

“I had a blast this year,” Godfrey continued. “Each year, I try to come up with different things for us to do or to tour so that if a person has been before, they are not seeing the same thing.

My favorite part of the trip was listening to the keynote speaker at the 1st general session of the convention. His name was A'ric Jackson, and I thought he had a really good message. 

If we are fortunate enough to go next year, we will do the majority of our tour in the Louisville area, which would then include a mom and pop candy making shop, Louisville Slugger, and Churchill Downs.”

Trauntvein stated, “My favorite tour had to be the Valero ethanol plant. I found it really interesting that they use penicillin in each fermenting batch to protect the yeast from any infection. I thought that was pretty neat, and then the trip was incredible. It was a lifetime experience that I will never forget. It was really neat for me to think about how there were over 60,000 FFA members there, and we are all there for one reason, which is incredible to me.”

Chief Washakie earned 2 Star National Chapter honors, along with the following accomplishments:

9th place nationally in AgriScience PST Div 6- Hart and Rolema

Seven Worland students received Bronze National FFA Proficiency Awards for their hands-on learning and career development through their SAE projects:

• Cayden Robertson – Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication
  
  

• Kyston Rollema – Equine Science (Placement)
  
  

• Laramie Trauntvein – Veterinary Science
  
  

• Owen Lungren – Grain Production
  
  

• Reaghan Foss – Swine Production (Entrepreneurship)
  
  

• Shayden McDonald – Agricultural Education
  
  

• Zane Lentsch – Vegetable Production
  
  

In addition, 8 students represented Worland FFA on the national stage in the National FFA Agriscience Fair, showcasing original research projects across multiple scientific divisions:

• Allie Stamatakos and Marlee Earl – Animal Systems, Division 4
  
  

• Asael Vega and Beckett Tharp – Power, Structural, and Technical Systems, Division 4
  
  

• Ava Tapia and Tylee Clark – Plant Systems, Division 4
  
  

• Emma Glanz – Food Products and Processing Systems, Division 3

• Laramie Trauntvein – Environmental and Natural Resources, Division 5

Photo T. Decker- WHS Choir Director Connor Dennis introduces the Concert Choir in the Worland Middle School auditorium on October 21, 2025.

Photo J. Tharp- FBLA member Taylar Mazet serves a warm drink to Keegan Scott at the new School Grounds coffee shop in the commons at WHS Wednesday morning.

By Ella Garcia

Staff Writer

Worland- The smell of freshly ground coffee just hits differently in so many ways. Not sure where to get some in the morning before school? Visit the new School Grounds coffee shop in the commons.The Worland chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) provides coffee and more thanks to Advisor Amy. Lamm and her FBLA students. 

School Grounds started early this September providing students and teachers with a little pick-me-up before morning classes. They offer drinks such as lattes, chai, and London Fogs, as well as the famous Red Bull Spritzers favored by the Freshmen Class. Their drinks are tasty and affordable compared to other local vendors.

Lamm and her students have been working hard to make this coffee shop reach new heights. WHS sophomore Bella Beamer has been one of Lamm’s students who helped start up this year’s coffee shop, making drinks left and right for teachers and students.. 

Beamer affirms, “It’s stressful at times, but fun getting to make the coffees, and once you get the hang of how to make the coffees, it goes pretty smoothly.” 

Students are taught how to make exceptional coffee and other assorted drinks for  coffee-lovers out there. They enjoy what they do and make the morning start off great, one sip at a time. Just like a school needs Wi-Fi, many WHS teachers need coffee and are often the first in line in the morning.

“I’m so excited this project is finally off and running!” said WHS teacher Jessica Tharp. “It’s a great idea that brings a great atmosphere to our school. I’m impressed.”

Word about School Grounds is spreading fast, so be sure to arrive in plenty of time in the morning to get in line. The shop is open daily at 7:30 a.m.

Photo H. Brooks - Beckett Tharp and his parents Kyle and Jessica prepare to leave the hospital after Tharp spent time recovering from his accident at Billings Clinic.

By Jacklynn Bozeman

Staff Writer

Worland- Beckett Tharp was in a car wreck on the morning of June 26th this year, Tharp, a junior at WHS, broke his neck in two places, back in five places, collar bone, shoulder blade, and some ribs when he fell asleep and rolled his pickup truck without wearing a seatbelt. He was life-flighted to Billings and spent a week in the hospital. Since then, he has had a nice and speedy recovery and is continuing with physical therapy. His goal is to get back to rodeo competitions soon. 

A fundraising dinner was held in July to help pay for the hospital expenses, with the Chief Washakie FFA chapter helping with the dinner. FFA students are now starting the “Buckle Up With Beckett” movement to encourage seatbelt usage and save lives. 

Beckett said he is so grateful for this amazing community and how much they did to help, he also said “I never get into a vehicle without putting on my seatbelt now.”

Tharp’s mom, teacher at WHS, said, “This has taught everyone a valuable lesson. I think it’s common in rural areas for people to not wear seatbelts. We’re so appreciative of our supportive community.”

According to FFA advisor Grace Godfrey, officers will be monitoring seatbelt usage before and after the campaign to see how well the message improves the habits of students and faculty around the campus. They also printed seatbelt stickers to hand out to students and staff to raise awareness. For stickers or more information, contact a Chief Washakie FFA member. 

Photo J. Tharp- Chief Washakie FFA member Zane Lentsch exhibits his market hog at the 2025 Washakie County Fair in July.