UW Summer High School Institute students attend a research seminar titled “Clean Hydrogen: The Future of Energy” at UW’s Business Building. (Mandie Reish Photo)
Fifty-three of Wyoming’s top high school juniors participated in the 40th annual Summer High School Institute (HSI) at the University of Wyoming in June.
The three-week program, sponsored by UW and held June 9-29, is designed to expand the horizons of students who have completed their sophomore year of high school and show high motivation, maturity and academic excellence. Participants lived in the UW residence halls and took specially designed college-level classes from professors across many disciplines. They also engaged in activities and discussions to develop their leadership skills and explore future opportunities.
“HSI 2025 brought together some of the most motivated and curious young minds from across Wyoming,” says Li Teng, the UW Honors College director of student success who directs the institute. “Through academic exploration, hands-on research and meaningful community engagement, these students took their first steps into the world of higher education with confidence, purpose and a strong sense of belonging.”
Students were nominated by teachers, counselors and principals from their high schools and selected by an admissions committee. Since the program’s founding in 1985, more than 3,500 students have participated -- and many have gone on to attend UW.
As part of HSI’s 40th anniversary, some alumni from the 1980s to 2020s joined a special panel in person and on Zoom to share how HSI shaped their lives. Additionally, students engaged in a variety of workshops focused on wellness, personal growth and career readiness.
“Welcoming HSI alumni back to campus is always a special part of the program,” Teng says. “Their stories of growth, resilience and success inspired our current students and highlighted the lasting impact HSI continues to have in shaping future leaders across Wyoming.”
In addition to taking two college-level courses, students explored a range of research opportunities through guided tours of cutting-edge facilities such as UW’s Nursing Simulation Lab and the 3D CAVE. They also participated in research seminars on topics including clean hydrogen.
The institute also partnered with Wyoming State Parks to better understand invasive plant species and supported their removal through hands-on weeding efforts on a service project day.
UW Summer High School Institute students paint “kindness rocks” during an activity on the UW campus. (Li Teng Photo)
Listed by high school, the following students participated in this year’s institute:
Big Piney -- Brody Cogburn and Abby Pinkerton.
Buffalo -- Cora Walker.
Burns -- Sutter Allen.
Campbell County -- Morgyn Engebretson and Addy Norris.
Casper Christian -- Rebecca Martinez.
Cheyenne Central -- Jorja Carter, Connor Green, Henry McGuire, Logan Neville, Robin Porwoll, Isaiah Urbanek and Jordan Wilch.
Cheyenne East -- Kaylah Morgan.
Encampment -- Isaiah Guerrero and D.D. Sloan.
Evanston -- Ella Clarito and Brady Schmidt.
Fort Washakie -- Johnny Pingree.
Green River – Bianca Maez and Ellie Quiroz.
Homeschool -- Kitzen Schatz.
Kelly Walsh -- Aurora Hollinger, Olivia Linford, Nathan Stewart and Stormy Tatro.
Lander Valley -- Lincoln Hitchcock.
Laramie – Winston Ahn, William Bergstraesser, Lorna Cook, Jesse Knievel, Mason Munoz, Anh Nguyen and Seth Perry.
Lovell -- Lilly Keele.
Natrona County -- Emaline Anderson, Cecilia Niglio, Austin Vondra and Mackenzie Wilmes.
Niobrara County -- Brecken Ricker.
Powell -- Ray Linton and Brooke McConnell.
Rawlins -- Lia Bauer.
Riverton -- Royce Hancock, Addy Shaffer and Qwanell Davis.
Saratoga -- Koen Shahadey.
Sheridan -- Jack Hubert.
Southeast -- Elizabeth Boche.
Ten Sleep -- Brooklyn Norman.
Wyoming Virtual Academy -- Ashlyn Andersen.
For more information about the Summer High School Institute, visit www.uwyo.edu/hsi.
