Dr. Tom Buchanan, University of Wyoming President, and Dr. Jim McBride, State Superintendent of Public Instruction addressed attendees at the 2006 Snowy Range FFA Teachers Appreciation Luncheon Thursday, at Laramie High School.

The luncheon was attended by FFA members, LHS administrators, teachers, and LHS staff. The FFA members served the lunch dressed in official FFA attire while Dr. Buchanan and Dr. McBride spoke. The meal was provided by FFA and Corona Village.

Dr. Tom Buchanan was the first speaker and expressed his appreciation to LHS faculty for the excellent job of preparing students for UW. He said, “LHS students are extraordinarily prepared” for college.

Dr. Jim McBride began by leading the FFA members in a round of applause for the faculty and staff. He described the teachers as being in the frontline of education.

McBride went on to explain how Wyoming will soon be recognized nationally because of the Hathaway Scholarship Program and, once the money is placed there, it will always remain. The program will place millions of dollars “in the bank” that will generate $20 million in interest to be given to Wyoming students each year in scholarships to attend the University of Wyoming, a Wyoming junior college, or other accredited Wyoming schools.

McBride described bills now being discussed by the Wyoming House and Senate in Cheyenne. During his brief remarks, he encouraged the students to “take advantage of opportunities” given to them by relating his own personal experience in education. He shared his rough beginning in school before he took advantage of the opportunities given to him. Some of those advantages he spoke about included receiving a college degree, then after participating in the military for 26 years, McBride received two additional degrees.