I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Cody on June 21, to attend the 2025 Milward Simpson Luncheon. Here, I was recognized as one of five female finalists of the Milward Simpson Award, given to the outstanding female and male athletes in Wyoming. Lauren Olsen from Douglas and Jase Burton from Star Valley were the overall female and male winners.

I was beyond thankful to have been able to surround myself there with such incredible people. It was evident that their sports didn’t define the finalists. They had kind personalities that demonstrated their character outside of sports. This honor recognized the leadership and commitment of everyone, as well, and it was a very special setting to be a part of. The following young women are the other finalists of the award: Izzy Kelly, Cheyenne Central; Karson Tempel, Cheyenne Central; Lauren Olsen, Douglas; and McKinlee Covolo, Mountain View. I would like to mention their names, as they have incredible achievements themselves. Being surrounded by everyone was an enriching experience.

In the end, Lauren Olsen was selected as the winner amongst the five of us. I want to recognize her, as her accomplishments set her apart from most. She is an incredible athlete, and if you are a basketball fan, you will want to keep an eye on her. She has many state championships, All-State honors, Player of the Weeks, Player of the Years. She ended her basketball season with over 2,500 points [2,690, according to WyoPreps], putting her in the lead all-class and across males and females. The list goes on with her accomplishments through volleyball, basketball, and soccer. It all reflects the astounding person and athlete she is.

I would like to personally thank the public for their support. From family, friends, coaches, teammates and more, I would have never been able to reach this opportunity without everyone. I am very fortunate to live in an engaged community that provides so many resources for our students and athletes to grow in. I think of a particular person when I speak of this support.

My dad, Steve Walker, has played a vital role in our wrestling program for over 20 years. As a volunteer, he has shown dedication and effort towards our program. He has strived to push and grow athletes in the world of wrestling. He doesn’t care if you are 5-years-old or 20; he doesn’t care if you are female or male. He doesn’t care if you are a beginner or at a collegiate level. He is a determined coach that loves the sport for the betterment of all.

He not only taught me my technique; he taught me how to be disciplined and tough. He shaped me into an athlete that learned to love the sports I participated in. It may have taken me a while to figure this out, but he taught me the value of loving sports for the interpersonal grace you can take from them.

Learning to veer away from the wins and losses, and to focus on growth and risk might be one of the most valuable lessons he taught me. The best part of it all is he strives to help others with these challenges, as well. He doesn’t gatekeep them for the benefit of a few, and that is something that has continued to inspire me throughout my career. He doesn’t put a cap on the success of athletes, and his expectations push individuals further than what they usually even think of themselves.

With this, my dad exemplifies what I believe it takes to stand out from others. I learned to see his balance myself, but I was also able to view it in the incredible athletes I met at the luncheon. Being able to be dedicated and disciplined, physically strong, mentally tough, but to also learn to appreciate and love what you are doing was something I saw in all the finalists.

I am grateful and proud to have been able to represent Kemmerer for this award. I know there is more to come. A thought that stuck through my head through this experience was thinking about the young girls/athletes coming up. They are incredible athletes, and I would love to see them progress to awards like these. I have faith in their abilities, and I know this isn’t the last time the Milward Simpson family will see Kemmerer High School on their itinerary.