3rd Annual Awards & Recognition Breakfast

At the breakfast, recently-retired Wes Roberts received a Distinguished Service Award in Recognition of Exceptional Leadership and Service to the State of Wyoming. The award from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming was presented by Mike and Mary Axthelm. In his award presentation, Mike shared that Wes often requested prayer for wisdom over the tough decisions he faced. While many people who came through Wes’ courtroom deserved harsh punishments, Mike described the power of hope in a second chance. “Wes saw things in people that nobody else did.” In extending mercy instead of justice, Wes gave those who were awaiting sentences (and their families) hope.

In receiving his award, Wes–a Riverton resident for 40 years–said “Riverton’s kind of in my DNA.” Wes said his desire has always been to see people grow and prosper in their personal lives. Wes shared with a story about an egg, a carrot and coffee: when put in hot water, an egg turns hard on the inside, a carrot turns to mush, but coffee colors the water around it. “That’s what the Boys & Girls Club does; that’s what I’ve sought to do,” said Wes. “Out of a community of heroes,” he thanked the community for their support, as well as his wife Pam, his sons and daughters-in-law and grandchildren. For his remarks and his life of service and impact, he received a standing ovation from the crowd of nearly 400.

Also at the breakfast, Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming’s Youth of the Year Isabell Norris shared her speech and high school senior Nathan Hutchison received a $2,000 Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming Foundation Education Award, presented by Mary Margaret Stockton. The Club scholarship is awarded each year to an outstanding youth who shares his laws of life and how they have influenced his life. His award will be credited to McCook Community College in Nebraska, where he has signed to play baseball.