Powell High School senior Gabby Paterson will be one of four students and a member of only the third class of University of Wyoming students to receive a full-ride education because of the Tomé Foundation scholarship.

The Tomé scholarship was created by Carol and Ramon Tomé to finance the education of female and minority students who have a major focusing on science, technology, engineering, arts and math at select colleges. 

Carol Tomé is the CEO of UPS while her husband is a retired environmental technologist. The Tomé scholarship funds 100% of  Tomé scholars’ education and provides funding for one or more unique experiences each year. 

The Tomé scholarship is currently offered at the University of Wyoming through the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources. It is also available at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Morehouse School of Medicine, the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business, the University of Denver Daniels College of Business, Berry College and the American College of the Building Arts. 

Paterson, who was an applicant for the generous STARR scholarship at Michigan State University before it came to an end this year, found out about the Tomé scholarship while she was looking at scholarships offered at UW.

When she saw the Tomé she realized she was interested in the environment and could pair a minor in sustainability with her major in kinesiology. She has since decided to double major in both after talking to university counselors who said the two majors pair nicely. 

“I want to focus on, in my PT career, how to include wilderness therapy, so getting people outdoors and [with] natural resources and the environment you can also do a food systems emphasis, so I can learn more about food systems and that can also correlate to nutrition,” Paterson said. “So they really actually go really well together even though they seem like they are polar opposites.”

In addition to her on-campus education being provided for, Paterson also receives $6,000 per year for “a unique experience.” This year Peterson is eyeing a trip to the French and Italian alps.

“I am so excited. I’ve always dreamed of traveling the world and I just think traveling is just such a unique experience,” Paterson said. “When you can learn from it too, like learn about cultures and learn about the environment and have it be an educational experience, it just means so much more.”

Most of all, Paterson is thankful for the security the Tomé scholarship has provided her — she said that knowing her college is paid for is a big relief. 

“I can enjoy college and learn and not be worried about money,” Paterson said.