LUSK – Niobrara County High School (NCHS) juniors and seniors were able to learn a variety of life skills during Adulting Day: Life Hacks for “Almost” Grownups on April 3.

This was a first for NCHS juniors and seniors. According to Glenrock Branch Director of the Glenrock Boys and Girls Club Maurica Medders (pronounced marrisa),  it was a very successful event.

According to Medders, a grant was awarded to the Glenrock Boys and Girls Club to help serve rural communities and youth. Medders contacted NCHS Principal Kathrine Kruse and, with their coordinated efforts, the first Adulting Day was tangibly realized.

Medders told the Herald that, last year, Glenrock high school held their first Adulting Day and it was deemed a success. Because the grant pertains to rural communities, Medders wanted to bring Adulting Day to Lusk. After speaking with Kruse and Niobrara Chamber of Commerce Director Morgan Nolen, the event was scheduled.

“Adulting Day really became a passion of mine,” said Medders. “I grew up in Casper [Wyoming] and, growing up in a larger community, I have really shifted my mind to rural communities. I knew Lusk is definitely a rural community like Glenrock. So, I reached out to the principal and it grew up from there.”

“We would have career days in my work,” said Medders. “I think that kind of helping to prep youth for their next chapter and providing those essential skills doesn’t necessarily get taught in high school. We were able to provide them that opportunity.”

Medders elaborated on how Adulting Day is different from just another career day.

“I feel like you ask a lot of kids what they want to do after high school and a lot of them say they want a career,” said Medders. “College isn’t an option and your local businesses are hiring. It shows the young people an alternative option.”

Local businesses attended the event with booths ranging from the Niobrara Sheriff’s Office, Lusk Police Department, Clark & Associates, Niobrara Public Health, Lusk Volunteer Fire Department, local accountant Sheila Boldon, and Lusk State Bank. Students could browse during the day. The Department of Workforce Services from Torrington, Wyoming was on hand as well. The United States Forrest Service and First Northern Bank, Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), and Eastern Wyoming College, the Insurance Corner, were booth holders, too.

Adult life hacks included accounting insight from Boldon, career options like firefighting in the US Forestry Services and law enforcement careers.  Juniors and seniors were able to learn about topics like applying for a checking account or doing taxes.

First Northern Bank of Wyoming of Douglas sponsored the event. Lunch was provided courtesy of the Niobrara Chamber of Commerce. Kids played bingo, also sponsored by the Chamber. At each booth, attendees filled out bingo cards. At the end, they were able to choose a gift bag assembled by the Chamber. Three of the gift bags had $20 in Chamber Bucks. An iPad was donated by First Northern Bank of Wyoming. The lucky winner of this item was senior Gracie ZumBrunnen.

“I think adulting day was a great event for our students,” said Kruse. “Our juniors and seniors were able to meet with a lot  our community members and members within our surrounding area. I think they did a great job of broadening what is actually available in our community for careers and different avenues they can take.”

Wyoming rancher and businessman Levi Single was the keynote speaker. Single spoke about starting from scratch and building to present day. He offered an inspirational testimony about building from nothing to eventually two ranches and a business.

“I thought it was really successful event and it was so cool to see the community involvement,” said Medders. “Even though it was rural community, a total of 25 businesses and agencies came to the event. Even though Lusk is a rural community, there are these people that just want to help the youth and give them options.”

Medders hopes to continue hosting Adulting Day in both Lusk and Glenrock. Medders told the Herald the participating businesses and agencies are already planning for next year and were already talking about making Adulting Day even better for next year.

“A big thank you to everyone in the community and the high school,” said Medders. “I thought it went really well and the youth were great. It went really well and it was a cool opportunity to give that to the kids.”