Riverton School Board celebrates two Frontier Academy graduations

(Riverton, WY) – The Riverton School Board celebrated two Frontier Academy graduations this week, for Joseph “Lane” Grover and Aurora Pate.

“Both graduates model grit and persistence,” Frontier Academy said in a Facebook post. “Their hard work and determination paid off, and we couldn’t be more proud!”

Grover

Frontier Academy Social Worker Nicole Schoening introduced the graduates to the Riverton School Board during a regular meeting Tuesday, beginning with Grover, whom she has known since he was a student at Rendezvous Elementary School. 

“It has just been a delight and a pure joy to me to become reacquainted with my former students who are approaching adulthood,” Schoening said. “You can probably imagine the growth that I had the opportunity to witness.”

Grover agreed that he has “grown as a person” during his time at Frontier – a place where “(I) finally found hope for my future.”

“Without Frontier, my life would be a wreck,” he said. “I was in a dark place coming from high school, and I was unmotivated for my future. Frontier helped me find the light at the end of the tunnel and has given me a push into my future.”

Frontier also taught him “social skills,” Grover said, recalling that, “I used to be harsh and uncaring for the world and the people around me, often causing conflict just for my amusement.”

“Now, thanks to the friends I’ve made at Frontier, I have relearned compassion and patience for those who knew me two years ago,” he said. “I’m sure you can see how much I’ve grown and matured as a person.”

Now that he has graduated, Grover said he plans to find a job and save money to attend college so he can pursue his dream of becoming a paleontologist. 

“I have always had a passion for the natural worlds and the secrets that (are) yet to be discovered,” he said. “Frontier has rekindled that fire and passion inside me, and I cannot thank the program and the people there enough. … Thanks to Frontier for giving me the best opportunity and giving me hope for the future.”

Pate

Pate also demonstrated growth during her time at Frontier, developing from an “apprehensive and shy” young student into “a more confident, focused and prepared young adult,” Schoening said. 

“Two years ago, young Aurora didn’t visualize herself where she is right now – she lacked confidence, motivation and vision,” Schoening said. “She is here tonight because she turned a tremendous corner and took charge of her education. She got out of her own way. Aurora stopped making excuses and she showed up. Her attendance improved, as did her desire to complete school.”

When she came to Frontier, Pate said she was “behind” in school and “not confident in my abilities,” but “slowly, over time, the staff at Frontier helped me – each one in their own way.”

“They taught me valuable things to carry throughout my life, and I appreciate them deeply,” she said, holding back tears. “The environment in Frontier was safe and secure – a place for me to grow. … Thank you, Frontier staff, for being amazing at your jobs.”

Now that she has graduated, Pate said she plans to enroll at Central Wyoming College and pursue cosmetology in hopes of becoming a licensed esthetician.

“Thank you, board members, for giving me this opportunity at Frontier,” she said. “I worked so hard to be here today, and I’m thrilled to see what the future holds for me.”