Last spring Powell High School students Cambree Dicks and Dawson George had the chance to give Gov. Mark Gordon a tour of the art displays all around the school. 

On Monday, they had the honor of meeting with the governor at the governor’s mansion in Cheyenne and being recognized during his State of the State Address. 

“Wyoming’s positive destiny rooted in our families and our educational system is critical to that mission,” Gordon said as he spoke of the career and technical educational programs he has put in place during his tenure. “Reflecting that belief, I asked a few students to be here today.”

Two of those four students had only just made the more-than six hour drive down to be part of the experience (both were back in school Tuesday). 

George even brought down one of his latest projects, a welded steel ram mount he’s still working on. 

“He thought it was super cool,” George said. “And, yeah, I got a lot of attention with it.”

Dicks and George have both put a lot of time during their high school careers into CTE classes. 

While George hasn’t quite decided what he wants to do for a career — although he’s become quite the taxidermist with animals he’s harvested and said he’s gained the skills needed to build his own house someday — Dicks has her eye on a two-year nursing degree to become a traveling nurse. 

“I like how the CTE classes help set me up for success for my future,” she said. “These classes are so important to me because they are teaching me real world skills and teaching me about my future career options and setting me up to get jobs, work in teams, and be successful. Through the CTE classes I am able to see the job I am interested in firsthand and gain observation hours out of it.”

Both were seated in the upper gallery overlooking the House Chambers for the annual address, the last of Gordon’s career. They were surrounded by other people honored by the governor, including a highway patrol trooper who rushed in to save lives after the explosion in the Green River tunnel, a man George said he enjoyed talking to. 

Dicks likewise enjoyed talking with those she met in Cheyenne. 

“My favorite experience while in Cheyenne was all the amazing people I was able to talk to and bring light to what I get to do every day,” she said. “I was able to tell many different people about my future career goals, and how I am working towards achieving my goals.”

George said lunch with the governor and the other honorees at the governor’s mansion — he said it was filled with beautiful artwork from all over the state — was a highlight, including an appetizer featuring trout from the governor, steaks and a dessert featuring gold flakes. George even had the chance to sit at Gordon’s table for lunch.

“We talked farming, ranching, so it was really fun,” George said. “Yeah, I’d definitely do it again.”