Second year Musical Theater student, Hazel Homer-Wambeam, founded a student organization called the Progressive Students of UW despite her incredibly busy schedule.
“We discuss any type of political issues our members want to talk about: feminism, sexual assault prevention, Black Lives Matter, gun rights and regulations, mental health awareness day, etc.,” Homer-Wambeam said.
Homer-Wambeam is president of the student organization she started in fall 2020. Since she founded the club, all meetings have been held on Zoom. Homer-Wambeam is a fully remote student for political and health reasons creating difficulties in retaining student membership and planning club events.
“I wanted to create a safe space for progressive UW students to build friendships and meet like-minded students. It allows students to have their voice be heard and build their opinions as activists,” Homer-Wambeam said.
Homer-Wambeam’s biggest obstacle in founding her own organization is perhaps not being an online student but rather her busy schedule. On top of her school work as a musical theater student, she is double minoring in Political Science and Honors.
Much of Homer-Wambeam’s time is spent in rehearsal. This year, Wambeam has been cast in every production the school has held. This year she has been a part of the productions Asking Strangers the Meaning of Life and 29.
Homer-Wambeam’s entrepreneurial spirit has also led her to start her own local business, calling Laramie Princess Parties. It is an entertainment service in which Homer-Wambeam preforms as various princesses and fairytale characters at children’s birthday parties or events. More recently, her business has been run through Zoom.
Moreover, Homer-Wambeam was nominated by faculty in the Theater and Dance Department to serve on the Dean’s Student Council for the College of Arts and Sciences.
Homer-Wambeam had the opportunity to attend the 2019 Distinguished Young Women Scholarship Competition last year, as she was chosen as the one Wyoming nominee.
She is running for ASUW Senate for an Arts and Sciences senate seat for next fall. Homer-Wambeam runs an Instagram account for her campaign.
All of these activities combined make free time virtually impossible, though Homer-Wambeam says she spends her free time helping her younger twin sisters with their home school work.
Since working in politics, Homer-Wambeam has had ambitions to hold public office in local, state and federal government. Homer-Wambeam served on the committee to elect Albany County’s first African American Sheriff, Aaron Appelhans, and she works for a Laramie newspaper.
“Through the connections I have in local and state politics, I have become really passionate in the political system. Starting at the university level is a great place to start,” Homer-Wambeam said.
To combine her interests in both theater and politics, Homer-Wambeam hopes to become a news anchor to perform and speak on political issues.
