Tanner Conely
“My dad graduated from here. All my family is from Nebraska, but my dad came here. My two older brothers went here too, so it’s like a family tradition.”
Clarke acknowledges the irony of her family of Nebraskans showing such strong Wyoming pride.
Madison Clarke is a graduate instructor from Wellfleet, Nebraska, majoring in Communications. She is a second generation Cowgirl who follows in the footsteps of her father and brothers by graduating from the University of Wyoming. She is pursuing her master’s degree in Communications while simultaneously obtaining certification to teach agriculture education.
Financial support was also a large factor in deciding to study, and eventually teach at UW.
“I got the Alumni discount which made it cheaper than the University of Nebraska for me. I competed on the rodeo team too, so between the alumni discount and scholarships through that, it made it pretty much free.” said Clarke.
According to Clarke, living in Laramie has been one of the most enjoyable stages of her life. While she was an undergraduate student, Clarke was involved in intramural volleyball and basketball. These hobbies trace back to Madison’s high school days in Curtis, Nebraska.
“I played all the sports in high school since I went to a small school. I still enjoy running every day.” Clarke said.
But teaching has always been a key focus of Madison’s life, almost enough to rival her passion for journalism.
“I remember around the time I was a young teenager, I got super into reading National Geographic and Smithsonian and other travel and science magazines and it inspired me to go write stories and take cool pictures. It was a dream then. It just stuck with me.” Clarke said.
Clarke has since turned this passion into a practical reality. Prior to studying and teaching at UW, she worked as a news reporter and TV anchor at her hometown news station. But, according to Clarke, the future is in education.
“I enjoy teaching, it’s good practice as it’s what I want to keep doing.” Clarke said.
Clarke plans to use her master’s degree and teaching certification to become a 4-H agent. This position would allow her to essentially run all 4-H related programs and activities for a county. In turn, this could lead to a teaching position at a technical college. Clarke plans to return home to Nebraska to make this dream a reality.
