About the Scholarship

Kathryn Eastman-Curry is our 2024 Be the Change Scholarship winner

Kathryn's academic success at Laramie Senior High School and her commitment to her education is evident as she balances her schoolwork with extensive volunteer activities. Kathryn's academic excellence is matched by her passion for animal welfare, which she channels through her involvement with the Laramie Animal Welfare Society (LAWS). Kathryn's dedication to LAWS has significantly impacted both the organization and the community. As a junior volunteer and foster coordinator, she has been instrumental in developing and managing various programs, including the neonatal kitten program and the dog foster and adoption program. Kathryn has also successfully collaborated on grant applications, raising over $27,000 for essential equipment and programming. In a letter of support, her mentor, Ashley Smith, praises Kathryn's fearless approach to challenges and her ability to exceed expectations through her actions rather than just words. Kathryn has multiple responsibilities at LAWS: fostering and coordinating adoptions and managing the Trap-Neuter-Release program. This shows her leadership and commitment to animal welfare and the Albany County community.

Kathryn is also active in the LHS Student Council. Her school counselor, Kimberly Dale, praises Kathryn's reliability, strong communication skills, and her ability to balance multiple responsibilities effectively. Kathryn's passion for helping others and her vision for making a positive impact on her community align perfectly with the values of the Be the Change Scholarship. As Kathryn moves into the next chapter of her life, her dedication to education, animal welfare, and community service will continue to leave a positive impact on our world.

 McCall Moore, a senior at Laramie High School, has been named the recipient of

the third annual, “Be the Change” Scholarship. McCall will use the $1000 scholarship towards furthering her education at the University of Wyoming.

 If McCall had the authority to change her school and/or community in a positive way, she would establish classes at her high school whose sole purpose would be to instruct students about diversity. In her essay response, McCall stated, “Communication for Change” taught by Mrs. Bondurant is a fitting example of a class that teaches kids how to be accepting and respectful of others. However, we must have more than one class that discusses these issues…we must put classes in place that enlighten children.”

Laramie High School teacher, Nicole Bondurant stated, “McCall’s compassion and empathy towards all the topics we studied shows maturity and insight…she is willing to go out of her way for the good of all”. Ms. Bondurant’s class “focuses on controversial topics, creating community service events, educating ourselves, and our classmates, about issues that impact our local and global community, and research solutions for these issues”. Ms. Bondurant added, “McCall is always showing willingness to grow and learn to improve herself and her world”.

McCall Moore is an important part of change in our community.  Her passion for diversity recognition, leadership qualities, and nonjudgmental and sincere attitude towards life were all contributing factors to her receiving this award. Riley Meyen from Albany County WIC Program stated, “There are some people that you meet in life that you just know are going to continue to creative positive change throughout their lives in whatever career path they take, this is McCall and I just cannot speak highlight enough of her.” 

Sonrisa Gonzales has been involved in numerous community projects and personal volunteer efforts and has served as an election judge. Her application demonstrated exceptional strength of character and clear evidence that she is living out Democratic values to improve her community. In the fall, she plans to attend LCCC to study to be a sonogram technician, and says she wants “to be someone that patients can trust and be someone that can be a source of light and compassion, no matter the circumstances they are under.”

LHS English instructor Nichol Bondurant shared, “She (Sonrisa) has been active in Wyoming Girl’s State, and also participated in many community service opportunities like volunteering at Interfaith Good Samaritan, Hydrate the Helpers, and the Laramie Soup Kitchen….she is deserving of this scholarship to help her reach her aspirations, because as much as she will benefit from furthering her education at LCCC, LCCC will also benefit from her focus, amiable nature, drive, intelligence, and strength of character.”

Ms. Gonzales also shared that this scholarship is particularly important to her because “I am the first in my immediate family to go to college. My younger brother is looking up to me, and I want to set a good example for him. When you live in a Latino family, it’s not just your siblings that look to you to set a good example. Your cousins, family, friends, and more see what you are doing as well. I understand that while I am the first in my family to go to college, I also have an added responsibility that I shouldn’t be the last.”