NCHS Sophomores apply for UW’s Summer High School Institute

The institute is one opportunity for high school students to check out the University.

HSI Counselors

Students enjoy a faculty dinner at HSI. HSI students take” two college style classes: a Physical and Natural World class, and a Human Culture class, as well as an additional one-hour enrichment class in the evening, ” (University of Wyoming). Faculty dinners are a chance for students to connect with their teachers and have some good food.

Calla Shosh, Chief Editor
January 13, 2022

NCHS Sophomores can apply to attend UW’s Summer High School Institute. Before Winter Break, the morning announcements said, “Sophomores, the application period for the University of Wyoming’s Summer High School Institute is now open. This is an opportunity to get your first taste of college on the UW campus in a fun-filled three weeks in July. For information regarding the application process, visit the UW website or see your counselor.” However, unless readers are familiar with UW’s summer programs or have had siblings that attended it, they may not know what this means. According to UW’s website, “Scholars from all over the state of Wyoming come together on the University of Wyoming campus for 3 weeks to experience college life. Students will take college classes, stay in the dorms, participate in community service and attend events both on and off campus.” This is a valuable opportunity for sophomores, since it gets them thinking about colleges.

Students hike in a meadow with clouds in medicine bow.
Students at the University of Wyoming’s Summer High School Institute (HSI) hike to Hidden Falls after the white water rafting trip was cancelled. The night before, Laramie received several inches of rain, which flooded the nearby rivers. Students went on a rafting trip the following week. (HSI Counselors)

Alexis Worthen, and NCHS Junior, attended HSI this past summer. She says “ it’s an experience I treasure deeply. I can’t stress enough how imperative it is that you apply. It sounds a little boring from the 30 seconds you take to google it, but if lip-synch battles, trips to arcades, painting, hiking, Saratoga hot springs, bowling, talent shows, late night games, meaningful conversations, and friends and mentors for life don’t appeal to you, I don’t know what will. There is literally something for everybody.”

Students hang onto the edge of a pool.
HSI students swim at Saratoga Hot Springs. Students swam in the pool, the North Fork Platte River, and the hot Springs. Students got ice cream on the drive back to Laramie. (HSI Counselors)

 

students with red helmets raft down the colorado river
NHS participants raft through white water at HSI. The rafting trip had previously been postponed due to flooding. The rafts went through several class 3 rapids as well as many class 2 rapids, which participants enjoyed. Alexis Worthen says that it was through these experiences that ” I made some lifelong friends, people I talk to every day.” (HSI Counselors)

When asked about her favorite part of HSI, she said “​​I learned so much about myself and the world around me. I took a stage combat class and a neuro-cognitive psychology class and I loved both equally, if that gives you any idea of the range of courses they offer with incredible, caring professors. I made some lifelong friends, people I talk to every day. I got to play Britney Spears in a lip sync battle, which was epic. My friends and I won a massive dodgeball competition. We went white water rafting. To sum up: I can’t pick a favorite.”

Students sit on railing outside an old mobile home.
HSI students donated 6 hours of their time to volunteer at Feeding Laramie Valley. Some students fixed up the building while other students weeded the gardens. Students received community service certificates at the end of HSI. Besides community service, the University of Wyoming says that HSI “Students will take college classes, stay in the dorms, .. and attend events both on and off campus.” (HSI Counselors)

The application process includes filling out an online application and a one page personal statement. Worthen’s advice for sophomores applying is “don’t let it hold you back. It seems stressful initially, but it took 30 minutes to write mine. Your English teachers would be more than happy to help you. but don’t let a one page paper hold you back from one of the greatest experiences of your life.” She also says “if you do go, you won’t regret it, no matter what reservations you have. Push yourself. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Do stuff you would never do here. be kind and open to new people. Also PLEASE wear sunscreen.”