The Park County Republican Women hosted their 19th annual Leadership Tea on Sunday, April 12, at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

This event honors the 2026 high school girl graduates of Park County, including Meeteetse, Powell, Cody, Powell’s Shoshone Learning Center, Cody’s Heart Mountain Academy, and homeschool girls. This event also honored and celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Décor was complete with red, white and blue accents.

This year’s participants included Park County Republican Women, students from Powell, Cody, homeschool girls, and the inspiring keynote speaker, Ashlee Lundvall, Game and Fish commissioner for the region and a public speaker who lives in Powell.

All graduating senior girls were recognized by standing ovation. The table sponsors were also recognized for their generous contributions, supporting the Leadership Tea. Fran Swope, Leadership Tea chairwoman, expressed how important these sponsorships are in making this event possible. The important message it sends to the senior girls, is equally relevant.

The PCRW president, Stefanie Bell, presented on the past and present women who have served in leadership positions in Park County and and many at the state level.  It was a reminder of the times, when women could not vote, and could not own property of any kind, and a perfect time to talk about our Suffrage State, Wyoming.

Don Shreve presented his family’s $1,000 Peg Shreve Memorial Scholarship to Mersades Jackson of Cody High School, the daughter of Jordan and Russell Jackson. She will attend Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, with a major in Project Management Engineering. It is important to Don and his wife Sheri to support all the graduating girls of Park County, by attending and enjoying the Leadership Tea each year.    

Sandy Newsome, a former two-term House representative from Park County and a strong, involved, supporter of the Leadership Tea, presented everyone with red and blue journals, and pens to record their goals, their achievements, and memories of happy times growing up. She gave a presentation on our 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Newsome presented two $1,000 scholarship certificates. The $1,000 Peg Coe Memorial Scholarship wa given to Sydney Simone of Cody High School. Her parents are Kelly and Armand Simone. She will attend Carroll College in Helena, Montana, with a major in Health Sciences. Newsome then presented the $1,000 Park County Republican Women’s Scholarship to Hadley Cooper of Powell High School. Her parents are Andrea Earhart and Allen Cooper. 

She will attend Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, with a major in Animal Science Pre-Veterinarian.

Diana Mungo, Park County Republican Women’s photographer and member at large, presented the second Park County Republican Women’s $1,000 Scholarship certificate, to Amelia Solberg of Cody High School. She is the daughter of Dawn and Chris Solberg. She will attend Sheridan College in Sheridan, with a major in Bachelor of Science Dental Hygiene. 

“Indiana native, Ashlee Lundvall, broke her back north of Cody, Wyoming, 24 years ago. Then she found her purpose!” This is the preface to her sharing her incredible life story and testament. Swope proudly introduced her to share her life story. Ashlee has earned the title as Ms Wheelchair USA, with her platform of making the outdoors accessible for everyone. She is a lover of animals and an avid hunter. Her extraordinary abilities as an active woman in a wheelchair, have proven to inspire all who hear her story. She shares how she balances family and career as a wife and mother. 

Lundvall credits her ability to accept what life throws at you and adapt. Her own path was long and windy, but, it’s shown her that, “if you are brave enough to redefine your life, that will definitely, open up some amazing opportunities for you!” Ashlee sent out her warm wishes to the graduating senior girls for their future, by saying, “Step out of your comfort zone. Be brave and do something amazing. You can do it!  America has so many opportunities for women!”

Swope thanked all for their attendance and support. She challenged the graduates and all attendees, to be informed and involved in their communities wherever they are in life. Their commitment to God, family and country, is vital to carry on the beliefs of freedom and morality in our country. Park County Republican Women encourage strong family values, community involvement, and the advancement of women, including these young graduates, along with the four scholarships they award each year. Each graduate received a congratulatory gift and fondest wishes for their future. 

The 2026 Leadership Tea came to a close as Presley Bray sang and encouraged the crowd to sing along with her, "God Bless America." She is a homeschool graduate from Cody. Her parents are Terri and Todd Bray, with Downrange Warriors. Presley will attend Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, with a double major: Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music and Performance, and Bachelor of Science in Business Communications.