At the
Boys & Girls Club of the Bighorns
at 189 North Cedar St, Buffalo, WY
Breakfast Begins at 6:30 a.m.
Program begins promptly at 7 a.m.
Honoring Dianne Urruty
Dianne Urruty came to Wyoming from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, after earning an education degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She was hired to teach kindergarten in Johnson County, where she worked for five years before choosing to stay home to raise her own children. When parents later approached her about starting a preschool, Dianne took a leap of faith and opened The Learning Tree Christian School in 1981 with 15 children meeting in a church basement.
What began as two mornings a week grew into a lasting commitment to early childhood education. Dianne focused on helping children build the skills they would need for school and beyond. She eventually made The Learning Tree a nonprofit, allowing it to grow, secure grants, purchase its own building and serve about 100 children each year. After decades of leadership, Dianne retired as director about three years ago, leaving the program in the hands of a new director.
Through every chapter, family has remained at the center of Dianne’s life. She and her husband, Jean, have been married for 48 years, a relationship she credits to commitment and faith. Together, they have two sons, two wonderful daughters-in-law, six grandchildren and families they are deeply proud of. When reflecting on her life, Dianne simply says, “I’ve lived a dream.”
Her years working with children have also changed the way Dianne sees life. She believes children have made her a better person because of their simplicity and honesty, reminding her to slow down, focus on relationships and appreciate what is right in front of her. In a time when life can feel “busy, busy, busy,” Dianne believes children offer an important reminder to enjoy the moments along the way. “They help you to stop and smell the roses. They teach us to slow down, appreciate the moment and savor life.”
Featuring RULON GARDNER
Rulon Gardner was born on August 16, 1971 in Afton, Wyoming. Rulon is the youngest 9 children born to Reed and Virginia Gardner. Raised on a dairy farm where they grew their own crops and milked cows twice a day, there was never a shortage of work to be done. School did not come easy for Rulon. He struggled with reading speed and comprehension but with the help and support of his family, Rulon was able to complete his schoolwork. With a great deal of determination (and
frustration) Rulon successfully completed high school and earned a wrestling scholarship from Ricks College. From Ricks College, Rulon Gardner received a division 1 scholarship to wrestle for the University of Nebraska.
Rulon’s wrestling career began when he was 6 years old. For one week every year, Star Valley would have a wrestling camp, which always concluded with a tournament on the weekend. Rulon participated in this from age 6 until junior high school. Rulon Gardner began a regular wrestling season while in junior high and continued until he graduated from the University of Nebraska.
Graduating from the University of Nebraska with a degree in physical education is something Rulon Gardner is very proud
of. After graduating from the University of Nebraska, Rulon continued his Olympic wrestling pursuit with full-time dedication. Winning the Gold in Sydney did not come without dedication and sacrifice. Rulon has sacrificed much in order to reach his Olympic aspirations.
When Rulon Gardner won the Olympic gold medal for wrestling in Sydney, his victory rocked the world. Rulon Gardner
shocked the world in Sydney when he defeated the previously undefeated “Russian Bear” in the “Miracle on the Mat. “It
was more than just a simple tale of success – it was the story of an underdog who rose to unimagined heights of accomplishment and glory. An athlete with a history of notable but obscure success, Rulon became a household name – and the pride of a nation – when he took Olympic gold from the hands of Alexander Karelin, an athlete who had been undefeated since 1985. In a modern-day David and Goliath, Rulon found himself fighting a match of mythic proportions – the United States versus former archenemy Russia and a first-time Olympian versus a veteran three-time Olympic gold medalist. Rulon shares with his audiences the sense of determination, the self-confidence and the fighting spirit that gave him the strength to stand up against seemingly unbeatable odds – and win.
Rulon’s charmed life nearly came to an end, however, when he was lost in the Wyoming wilderness after a snowmobile accident. Surviving in sub-zero temperatures, sopping wet, for hours, Rulon in the end suffered the amputation of a toe. After the 2000 Olympics he suffered a series of injuries including an amputated toe and a dislocated wrist. He was also in a motorcycle accident. Despite his injuries, he won the US Olympic trials for his weight class and competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics. He came back to win Bronze in Athens, when he ceremoniously left his shoes on the mat and retired after the match.
Aside from his Olympic medals, his achievements include: US Champion 2001; James E Sullivan Award for amateur athlete
of the year, 2001: Gold medal, World Wrestling Championships, 2001: Jesse Owens Award, 2001: United States Olympic Committee Sportsman of the Year, 2001: ESPY award for US Male Olympic athlete of the year, 2001: Pan American Games Champion, 1998: US Champion, 1997: World Cup Champion 1996: US Champion, 1995.
Rulon has never dwelled on the negatives but instead takes each challenge and uses it to improve his life. Rulon shares with
his audiences the sense of determination, the self-confidence and the fighting spirit that gave him the strength to stand up
against seemingly unbeatable odds – and win. He has experienced wins as well as losses in his life. Rulon performs
motivational speeches for corporations, schools and community groups.
Rulon authored an autobiography entitled Never Stop Pushing: My Life from a Wyoming Farm to the Olympic Medal Stand.
Avalon Publishing released his book on September 6, 2005.