Haslem, Hanusa, Weber top honor students at RMHS

A trio of senior boys have received top academic honors at Rocky Mountain High School for the Class of 2023.

Collin Haslem is the valedictorian for the senior class and has also received the University of Wyoming Trustees Scholarship.

Jackson Hanusa is the salutatorian and has received both the Daniels Scholarship and the UW Trustees scholarship.

Carsyn Weber has also received the Daniels Scholarship.

Haslem, the son of Josh and Stacey Haslem, has been active in school as vice president of National Honor Society, guitar class, the Knowledge Bowl team and athletics: football, basketball and track and field.

His plans include a two-year church mission to Uganda, followed by four years at the University of Wyoming, where he plans to major in finance. He may also consider the University of Pennsylvania or another institution for a master’s degree. Starting his own business is in his plans, also, he said.

He said he’s considering walking onto the Wyoming football team as a kicker.

Haslem said language arts teacher Eric Anderson and math teacher Danielle Malson have been inspirational teachers during high school, and he said college and career coach Sally Bernhisel has been a big help in seeking scholarships, along with counselor Tim Jones.

Outside of school, Haslem said his parents have pushed him to excel, especially his father, who he has seen run his own successful business.

“He was a big influence in my decision to pursue finance and business,” Haslem said.

Asked to predict where he’ll be in 10 years, Haslem said, “I hope to have a master’s degree, or a bachelor’s degree, at least, have a family and be running my own business.”

Hanusa

Jackson Hanusa is the son of Aric and Ashley Hanusa and has been active in football, wrestling and track at RMHS, along with band as a trombonist, National Honor Society, Knowledge Bowl and FBLA. He served as senior class vice president in student council.

Following a two-year church mission in Equador, Hanusa plans to attend the University of Wyoming and major in petroleum engineering and said he may look into pole vaulting on the UW track and field team.

He said he would like to run his own business someday.

Among inspirational teachers, he noted math instructor Danielle Malson and, like Haslem, said Bernhisel has made a huge difference in his search for scholarships.

“She’s a champion,” he said. “I wouldn’t even know about some of the scholarships without her.”

Hanusa said his family has been his inspiration away from school, and he also noted the influence of his coaches, in particular head football coach Richard Despain.

Asked what he will be doing 10 years from now, Hanusa replied, “Working somewhere, hopefully with a family, maybe someplace a little warmer.”

Weber

The son of Tianne and Jeff Samson, Weber has been active in football, basketball and track, along with NHS and guitar class. After serving a two-year mission, he plans to attend the University of Wyoming and major in business and finance. He said he would like to run a business and would like to return to the area to do so.

He, too, mentioned the assistance of career coach Bernhisel, noting, “For scholarships I couldn’t have done it without Sally Bernhisel, and Tim Jones, too. Sally is really good at keeping you on top of due dates.”

Weber said his mother, Tianne, has been a big part of his success, and in 10 years he hopes to be living back in north Big Horn County with a family.