Cutline for bodyfelt.0607: Joshua David Bodyfelt, center, is shown with parents, Larry and Jamie Bodyfelt of Rock Springs. Courtesy photo

The Casper Section of SME (Society for Mining Engineers), in conjunction with Energy Laboratories, Inc. of Casper, has once again elected to award scholarships to area high school students. The scholarship is intended for students who will be majoring in a physical science (biology, chemistry, geology, or physics), computer science, math, or engineering. Students from Natrona County High School, Kelly Walsh, Roosevelt, Midwest, Glenrock, and Douglas schools were eligible. Four $1,000 scholarships were awarded to: Bailey Kremke, Kelly Walsh; Casey Brauchie, Kelly Walsh; Emily Rochelle, Kelly Walsh; and Garrett Stevens, Kelly Walsh. *RAWLINS GRAD CLAIMS SCHOLARSHIP: Yolanda Hinman, a 2009 graduate of Rawlins High School, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Meridian Trust for the coming academic year. The credit union received numerous applications from outstanding students, who were required to write an original essay on the topic "Credit Unions Embody the Spirit of

America." Additional criteria included school and community involvement, and academic achievement. Hinman's high school activities included Thespians, Key Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, choir and Girl Scouts. The daughter of Rodney and Cheryl Hinman of Rawlins, she plans to attend Casper College in the fall, majoring in Elementary Education.

*TRIUMPH STUDENT EARNS AWARD: WyHy in Cheyenne has awarded its 2009 Triumph High School scholarship to Desiree Snyder. The $500 scholarship is given each year to a member of the high school's graduating class based on factors including academic excellence and financial need. Snyder was selected to receive the honor on the basis of her outstanding academic record during her senior year and involvement with the Triumph High School Culinary and professional banking team, Skills USA and Z Club. WyHy provides the scholarships each year as part of its ongoing Adopt-A-School relationship with Triumph High School.

*CHEYENNE REGIONAL AWARDS SIX: As a service to the community and a way to promote higher education and healthcare training and development, Cheyenne Regional Medical Center awards up to six $1,500 scholarships each May to outstanding high school students and to adults returning to college and entering a medical field. Recipients this year are:

Daniel Russell: Graduated in May from Central High School. Plans to major in computer science/IT at Laramie County Community College and then attend a four-year university.

Sara Mackey: Graduated in May from Central High School. Plans to major in molecular biology at the University of Wyoming.

Shandra Smith: Graduated in May from Central High School. Plans to major in forensic science/pathology at the University of Wyoming, Grambling or Texas A&M.

Brandon Krempels: Graduated in May from Central High School. Plans to major in environmental science at the University of Wyoming.

Tonya Aaron: Billing clerk at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. Currently attends the Institute of Business and Medical Careers, studying to become a certified medical coder.

Holly McFaul: Plans to pursue her registered nursing degree.

(with 2-column photo: Bodyfelt)

*DOCTORATE IN PHYSICS: Former Casper resident Joshua David Bodyfelt received his Ph.D. in physics during the 177th commencement at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn., on May 24. Attending were his parents, Jamie and Larry Bodyfelt of Rock Springs and his sister and brother-in-law, Martha Bodyfelt and Shahin Shakeri of Arlington, Va. He is the grandson of the late Herman and Virginia Kraen of Casper.

During his three years at Wesleyan, he studied under the tutelage of Dr. Tsampiko Kottos's "Complex Quantum Dynamics and Mesoscopic Physics" group. He received his Ph.D. with the dissertation, "Probing Complex Dynamics via Loschmidt Echoes."

In September, he will begin a two-year post-doctoral guest scientist position at Max Planck Institute for Complex Physical Systems in Dresden, Germany.

He earned the Eagle Scout award as a member of Boy Scout Troop 4 in Rock Springs. He is a 1997 graduate of Rock Springs High School. He received his bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Wyoming and his master's degree in physics from Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech).

*DEAN'S LIST: Katelin A Schenk, daughter of Tim and Judy Schenk of Casper, was named with Highest Honors to the spring 2009 dean's list at Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minn. The dean's list includes full-time students with a semester grade point average of 3.65 (out of 4.0) or higher. Schenk is majoring in Biblical Studies at Northwestern. Highest honors are awarded to students with a GPA of 3.90-4.0, high honors are awarded to students with a GPA of 3.75-3.89 and honors are awarded to students with a GPA of 3.65-3.74.

*HONOR ROLL: Kaydi Lynn Hooker and Ashley E. Klone, both of Casper, were named to the spring semester President's Honor Roll at Washburn University in Topeka, Kan. To be named to the list, students must be enrolled in at least 12 graded semester credit hours and attain a semester grade point average of 4.0.

*MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMP: Anna Schenfisch was selected to attend the University of Wyoming Middle School Girl's Camp from June 7-12 in Laramie. The camp is sponsored by the University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and specifically targets young women in 4th-8th grades who are interested in science and mathematics. The college received more than 80 applications for just 12 openings. She recently completed 8th grade at Dean Morgan Junior High and is the daughter of Joel and Gail Schenfisch.