Casper – Kids in Central Wyoming were celebrated at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming’s 24th Annual Awards & Recognition breakfast, held September 14, 2022, at the Ford Wyoming Center. The breakfast honored Brad and Jan Cundy for the difference they have made for youth throughout the state. Preliminary dollars raised through the Mission Unstoppable annual giving campaign total $942,698. All proceeds support impactful programming at the Club. In receiving the Distinguished Service Award, the Cundys highlighted the Club’s unstoppable mission in making a difference in the lives of youth and talked about their pride in Wyoming’s kids. The Cundys received a Congressional Award from U.S. Senator John Barrasso, which is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. “Brad and Jan’s exemplary character and commitment to Wyoming’s youth are remarkable. With this award, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming affirms their deepest gratitude for Brad and Jan Cundy and their continued work,” said Senator Barrasso. Isabell Norris, a sophomore from Dubois K-12 School, was named Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming’s Youth of the Year. As the child of a single mother who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Isabell had to learn life lessons more quickly. She credits the Boys & Girls Club with teaching her leadership and independence. Because of her love for animals, Isabell plans to become a veterinarian after graduation. She received a Central Wyoming Youth of the Year plaque, as well as $7,500 dollars from the late Ruth R. Ellbogen, who endowed the Scholarship Education Fund of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming Foundation. She will go on to represent the Club at the state Youth of the Year Competition in February. The Mick & Susie McMurry Cowboy Code Try Award, a bronze sculpture by world renowned local artist Chris Navarro, honors a person in the community who has lived the Cowboy Code to its fullest and persevered in the face of challenges. This year’s award recipient is Brad Hopkins, Executive Director of the Wyoming Rescue Mission, who has worked tirelessly to change the lives of the homeless. Hopkins also received a congressional record from Senator Barrasso. Keynote speaker Willie Robertson, CEO of Duck Commander and Buck Commander, and formerly of the hit reality show Duck Dynasty, praised the community for not overlooking children. He entertained the audience with personal stories of entrepreneurship as a young child and highlighted the importance of faith, family, and work in his life. He encouraged those in attendance to never give up but to turn tragedy into hope. Nearly 1,200 guests were in attendance, including Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon and First Lady Jennie Gordon. Guests received a copy of the new book, The Wyoming Try, which tells the true inspirational stories of a dozen Wyoming individuals who have done extraordinary things despite the odds. Club CEO Ashley Bright said, “I want to thank the community for its unstoppable support of the Club’s mission in making a difference in the lives of youth. We are serving more youth than ever and helping them discover their passions, and it’s all because of you.”
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