Vol. 2, Issue 8 | April 2026 | Ten Sleep School Ranks #1 Again | 6 Min Read

"You are the heartbeat of Wyoming, and your dedication to excellence shows what it truly means to ride for the brand."

-Governor Mark Gordon

A Homecoming for Excellence: Ten Sleep School Sets Cowboy State Academic Gold Standard

Governor Gordon congratulates the students, staff, and administrators for their hard work and discipline. He challenged the tight-knit community to "keep the momentum going". He also answered questions regarding his choice of tie.

When Governor Mark Gordon walked through the doors of Ten Sleep School this week, it wasn't just a state visit—it was a homecoming of sorts. Gordon’s roots are deeply planted in the soil of the area, he recalls rodeoing in Ten Sleep as a youngster. Growing up on his family’s ranch in Kaycee, Wyoming, he learned firsthand the values of hard work and community that define the Ten Sleep. Today, he and the First Lady continue that legacy, with ranches situated just on the other side of the Bighorn Range.

The Governor's visit served a momentous purpose: recognizing Ten Sleep K-12 for being named the number one academic school in Wyoming. For the second year in a row, this educational powerhouse has eclipsed all other schools in the state, proving a family’s rural zip code does not dictate educational opportunities in Wyoming.

The celebration took place within the school's state-of-the-art new building, a dollar-smart project the Governor championed.

Young participants in the democratic process. Students in all grade levels were eager for dialogue with the Governor.

During his visit, the Governor fielded questions from students, engaging in a heartfelt dialogue about the future of their state. He was grateful to hear from a student actively involved in the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, a program launched by First Lady Jennie Gordon to combat food insecurity. This connection underscored the attentive, community-service-oriented nature of the Ten Sleep student body.

A Legacy of Support and State-of-the-Art Facilities

The celebration took place within the school's state-of-the-art new building, a project Governor Gordon championed during the earlier days of his tenure. The new Ten Sleep K-12 academic-votech complex was funded by the Wyoming Legislature to replace structurally deficient 1930s-era elementary and 1950s-era high school buildings. This capital construction project addressed high-priority, aging infrastructure by consolidating all grades into a modern facility.

Ten Sleep students fully engaged in the learning process as evidenced by their remarkable scores.

The "gold standard" of Wyoming education—a modern learning environment designed to nurture the high-achieving students who walk its halls, engage in their classrooms, and community.

Priority Level: The school was ranked near the top of the State Construction Department’s priority list due to "high needs" in both condition and capacity.

Proponents for the new consolidated building, credited the legislature's dollar-smart vote (Select Votes tab, look for H 3rd reading and S 3rd reading to check out the yays and the nays) after considering ongoing band-aid maintenance costs, repair, running of dilapidated HVAC system, deteriorating structural issues, and the efficiencies of consolidating all staff and students in one building.

The new building opened for the Spring Semester 2025. Staff and administrators worked through the holidays to pack-up classrooms and relocate equipment--"a massive logistical undertaking."

-Ten Sleep Principal Robert Griffin

Where's Mark? Ten Sleep student body, super, principal and staff pic with the Governor.

Under the leadership of Superintendent Annie Griffin and Principal Robert Griffin, Ten Sleep has achieved remarkable academic milestones: Top Proficiency: The school excelled with top proficiency across all three content areas, boasting 77% in ELA, 81% in Math, and 84% in Science.

Vocational Excellence and Cooperative Education

Ten Sleep’s success is not confined to textbooks. The school is a model for Wyoming’s cooperative education practices, which bridge the gap between high schools, community colleges, and the university.

Agricultural Leadership: The FFA program, led by Adrienne Forshee, continues to earn honors and instill leadership in the next generation of Wyoming ranchers.

Notably:

• Senior Kruze Forshee was named the Region 2 Star Farmer, a prestigious award recognizing years of excellence in his Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE).
• Ten Sleep alumna Madison Anderson, an honors student who graduated from the University of Wyoming after achieving the American FFA Degree,

FFA students' classroom visit with Governor Gordon. Governor requested their participation in Ag Initiative

Technical Training and Partnership: The Shop and Vocational tracks are led by Jason Thoren, who oversees training in specialized fields like welding. In a prime example of state cooperation, Casper College provided the school with high-quality welding equipment.

Ten Sleep’s success isn't confined to textbooks. 

CDL Program: Expanding its practical workforce skills, the school offers a CDL program overseen by Aaron Keyes, the Maintenance and Transportation Supervisor, ensuring students have pathways to high-demand careers.

Success Beyond the Diploma

The "Cowboy Code" does not end at graduation; it is a way of life that these students carry into the world.

Ten Sleep graduates are uniquely prepared to "Live Their Dreams" with a foundation of integrity and a growth mindset. Whether they are pursuing higher education at the University of Wyoming or entering the workforce with technical certifications, they do so with a commitment to doing the right thing and leaving a place better than they found it.

Many leverage the school's vocational partnerships to secure high-demand jobs in agriculture and industry right here in Wyoming.

What's for lunch? Baked Ziti. A favorite prepared at the request of a soon-to-be-graduate.

Ten Sleep School stands as a beacon of what is possible when a dedicated community, students, expert educators, and state leadership align. As the Governor noted, the curiosity and discipline of these students, and their community, provides real confidence in the future of the Wyoming.

"I want to congratulate the students of Ten Sleep for their incredible hard work, their discipline, and their unwavering commitment to doing the right thing," Governor Gordon said. "You are the heartbeat of Wyoming, and your dedication to excellence shows what it truly means to ride for the brand."

Ride for the Brand.

Giving and receiving thanks.

Mark Gordon was elected Wyoming's 33rd Governor on November 6, 2018. He was sworn into office on January 7, 2019, and re-elected on November 8, 2022, garnering 74% of the vote. He has been named the most popular governor in the nation (Morning Consult, April 20, 2026). As a conservative, Governor Gordon has worked tirelessly to set Wyoming on a sustainable fiscal path and has spearheaded efforts to diversify Wyoming's economy — from technology and finance to agriculture, energy, research, and tourism. 

"You don't have to be Governor to make a difference in Wyoming."

Governor Gordon is frequently asked during community visits how to make a difference, protect Wyoming, and stay involved. The Primary Election is August 18.

Photo Credits: A special thank you to Ten Sleeps Photograher Tess Anderson for sharing her work with us for this issue. All photos for this edition of On Brand are her magic.