Cheyenne Student Receives Top Graduate Nomination at UW

Cheyenne’s Hannah Young, a speech, language and hearing sciences major, with a minor in disability studies, was among five finalists for the Rosemarie Martha Spitaleri Award as the University of Wyoming's outstanding graduating woman.

Callie Berman, of Boulder, Colo., was this year’s Rosemarie Martha Spitaleri Award recipient, and Josh Messer, of Cheyenne, received the Tobin Award, honoring the outstanding graduating man.

The Spitaleri award, established in 1964, recognizes students for exhibiting the finest leadership, academic integrity and citizenship qualities. Other finalists were McKensie Harris, Laramie; Molly Markow, Loveland, Colo.; and Lindsay White, Douglas. Students were honored at a recent luncheon.

To be considered for the Spitaleri and Tobin awards, students were judged on academic excellence and achievement; contributions and service to UW; participation and leadership in co-curricular activities; and demonstrated character and citizenship.

“When I think about my past four years at the University of Wyoming, I think of one word: community. As a student, I am a crucial member of the community,” Young says. “Most of my leadership experience falls in the realm of service. However, despite where the next few years take me, I hope to always be a part of the community at the University of Wyoming and will continue to give back to the school that has given me so much, in as many ways as possible.”

Nominators wrote letters of support for each of the students.

“Hannah Young is remarkable! Hannah is a standout student, leader and person. She shows a strong commitment to her academics while continuing to stay involved in activities outside the classroom,” one nominator wrote. “Hannah’s enthusiasm, kindness and positive attitude are infectious and, thus, inspire people that she leads to do more and be more than they might have thought possible.”

Another wrote, “Her academic accomplishments are particularly impressive given her active involvement in a number of campus organizations and other community activities. Hannah has an incredible work ethic that matches her innate academic ability. She has always been pleasant and respectful, and she has a nice sense of humor.”