PHS well represented at UW Summer High School Institute

Posted 9/7/21

A program for talented rising juniors and seniors returned to the University of Wyoming campus this summer, with nine Powell High School students among those selected.

UW offered two separate …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

PHS well represented at UW Summer High School Institute

Posted

A program for talented rising juniors and seniors returned to the University of Wyoming campus this summer, with nine Powell High School students among those selected.

UW offered two separate sessions since last year’s annual Summer High School Institute (HSI) was canceled due to the pandemic.

The first HSI session — attended by Powell High School students Lilyan Halter and Kalaiah Stenlund — was held June 6-26 for rising seniors who missed last year’s program.

Rising juniors joined the July 11-31 session, including Ethan Cearlock, Owen Fink, Kalin Hicswa, Daniel Merritt, Gabriella Paterson, Hannah Sears and Sydney Spomer of PHS.

The students were selected from high schools across Wyoming, and Powell was well represented; only Laramie High School (21) and Cheyenne Central (10) had more students at the two sessions.

UW offered attendees “an opportunity to achieve intellectual and personal growth, cultivate their leadership capabilities and measure their capacities and interests.”

During the educational program, which exposes students to college life, UW faculty members conducted problem-centered classes ranging from stage production combat to DNA to robotics and criminal justice. Each student was enrolled in two college-style classes: a physical and natural world class and a human culture class, as well as an additional one-hour enrichment workshop held in the evenings.

During the three-week program, the rising juniors and seniors attended the classes four times a week, without the pressure of grades. The focus in the classes is centered on learning and critical thinking, rather than tests and homework, says Li Teng, HSI coordinator and UW Honors College advising manager.

The three-week experience also featured athletic activities, talent shows, picnics, dances, a whitewater rafting trip, random acts of kindness, guest speakers, attendance at local dance performances, visits to museums and enrichment excursions.

High school administrators, counselors and teachers guided students through the application process. Selections were based on an application letter, a personal statement, a letter of recommendation, academic performance and extracurricular activity involvement.

Begun in 1985, the HSI program is sponsored by UW, with special funding from the Wyoming State Legislature. To learn more, go to www.uwyo.edu/hsi/.

Comments