School has begun in Powell, and I’m reminded once again of the stellar educational opportunities we have in town. 

I spent last week running around Northwest College and various Park County School District 1 schools for a combination of work and parental responsibilities, and came away, like I have each year, grateful, and maybe even a bit jealous, for all of the opportunities my two kids and their peers enjoy in this community. 

I am always so pleased at how students are welcomed to school, whether on the first day or, in the college’s case, the days leading up to the first day of classes. Whether it’s elementary schoolers playing ball with college athletes before the first bell, high school freshmen running around doing fun activities before the upper classmen arrive (after I’m sure a much appreciated late start), or college students spraying each other with water, it opens the year in a fun light. 

I’ve also been sitting through back-to-school meetings with the school district (as a parent), and meetings of the Northwest College board (for work) to be made aware of some of the incredible opportunities my kids and all the students in Powell can experience. 

The elementary schools consistently boast incredible teachers (as I can attest personally at Parkside) and provide wonderful opportunities for our youth to get started on their learning journey. 

I drove by the middle school recently and was a little disappointed I won’t have as much of a reason to go there this year (my kids are in grades 5 and 9) as the staff were incredible with my oldest, and I’m sure will be with his younger brother. My wife and I will definitely miss watching middle school wrestling duals in the bleachers. 

I can already tell the high school staff is fantastic and am honestly jealous of all the opportunities my son has ahead of him there. I didn’t always enjoy the same opportunities, despite going to a much larger high school. 

And as I tell both my boys, don’t forget there’s a college right here. Northwest offers an amazing array of programs, whether it’s with the aim of stepping right into a job in welding or driving trucks, or advancing to Laramie or another four-year school. 

Even with the college especially struggling with finances this year after the drop in property tax revenue, becoming a Trapper still looks like a smart decision. 

And before that, I’m glad to have a Lion and a Panther.