Commissioners Choose Scholarship Awardees

MAY 29, 2025 |

Photo – Scholarship flyer – Courtesy Carbon County Commissioners

Abrianna Laird, Olivianna McMahon, and Brayden Torstenbo were chosen to receive the 2025 Carbon County Commissioners’ Scholarship, with Allison Bromley selected to have her scholarship renewed for another year.

Every year, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners selects three new students and one returning student to receive a $1,000 scholarship to the University of Wyoming or any Wyoming community college.

Speaking to Bigfoot99 last month, County Clerk Lisa Smith explained the scholarships are available to graduating high school and non-traditional students, such as home schooled and adults returning to school that live in Carbon County.

The winners of the 2025 Commissioner’s Scholarship were announced at the May 20^th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting. The Board is required by statute to judge the applicants entirely by their grade point averages, SAT scores, and extracurricular activities. The names of the students are purposely withheld during the selection process.

Seventeen students applied for the 2025 scholarship. The Board said the judging was very close this year.

Commissioner Sue Jones began by announcing that Allison Bromley, from Encampment, was selected to have her scholarship renewed. Commission Vice Chairwoman Gwynn Bartlett pointed out that the other two winners, Mackenzie Priest and Fischer Williams, were alternates, as the county only offers a single renewal scholarship.

After the Board consulted among themselves, Vice Chairwoman Gwynn Bartlett announced the winners of the 2025 Commissioner’s Scholarship. Abrianna Laird, Olivianna McMahon, and Brayden Torstenbo were each selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship for their continued education. Jaida Jennings, Justine Widdison, and Emmanuel Vialpando were chosen as alternates.

The Board mentioned the challenge of selecting four winners and five alternates from a pool of 17 highly talented applicants. Commission Chairman Travis Moore said the difficulty of choosing the scholarship recipients speaks to the quality of Carbon County students.

Responding to a question from an attendee, Commissioner Sue Jones explained the scholarship money is being offered by the University of Wyoming, not the county itself. Commissioner Jones added the University provides every county in the state with a different number of scholarships.

A member of the University’s Scholarships & Financial Aid team told Bigfoot99 the commissioners of each county decide how many scholarships they would like to offer.

Each of the winners will receive a $1,000 scholarship to continue their education at the University of Wyoming or any community college in the state.