Scholarship Funding at the Wyoming Community Foundation

This story is from our Fall 2022 newsletter. See the full newsletter here!

Eighteen-year-old Reece Barritt couldn’t wait to begin his freshman year at the University of Wyoming. Reece was going to major in computer engineering. He knew he was in for four years of hard work, and he wanted to focus on his studies and the college experience rather than working to pay tuition and student loan interest.

Reece applied for scholarships at the Wyoming Community Foundation. An exceptional Upton High School senior, he was awarded all three he applied for. With these scholarships, Reece could “begin my college career with less worry and more excitement.”

This isn’t always possible. Higher education costs keep increasing, forcing students to combine employment and student loans. But because of generous donors like you, talented young people like Reece can focus on what matters.

As it happens, WYCF scholarships are something of a Barritt family tradition. Before Reece, two other Barritts – Madison and Dillon – received multiple WYCF scholarships. Dillon is Reece’s brother, and Madison is his sister-in-law. The young couple learned about WYCF scholarships from Upton High School counselor Amanda Knapp. Then they shared the advice to apply these opportunities with Reece. Now they’ll all be sharing a home down in Laramie. As Madison and Dillon complete their studies, they’ll support Reece as he begins his.

Madison and Dillon appreciate what these awards mean even beyond the money. “To be a representative of any memorial scholarship is one of the greatest honors. It inspires me each day to work hard and care for others like the individuals behind 1 the creation of the scholarship surely did,” reflects future- 1 nurse Madison. Dillon, a petroleum 1 engineering student,
adds, “I hope to one day give back in a way that WYCF and its donors have given to me.”

Donors like you share their commitment to paying it forward.

Both Dillon and Reece received the Myron D. Kiesling Scholarship. Myron served his country in World War II. When he returned, he had to go into business with his father rather than continue his studies. He was a pillar of his community for 60 years. When he retired, he established a scholarship to give students the educational opportunities he never had.

The Barritts are just one example of how donors like Myron Kiesling can support Wyoming students. And they value that support. As Madison puts it, “We have been blessed beyond measure and we have never taken that for granted.”