First Lady Mead Partners with Cloud Peak Energy to Provide

Press Release – First Lady Carol Mead has partnered with Cloud Peak Energy to provide every first grader in Campbell County with a copy of her children’s book, Wyoming Firsts.

“Advancing early childhood literacy has been and continues to be a passion of mine,” Mrs. Mead said. “Putting books into the hands of young children provides an opportunity for them to bond with a parent or caregiver over a good story and to learn to establish a habit of reading at home.”

Mrs. Mead wrote Wyoming Firsts: A Children’s Book in 2013 to have something to read to children about our state when she visited daycares, preschools, libraries, and elementary schools. Her hope was to help them learn about all of the “firsts” in Wyoming’s history. Since then, with the help of generous corporate sponsors, Mrs. Mead has provided first graders throughout the state with a copy of the book. Cloud Peak Energy has recently sponsored 750 copies of the hard cover edition for first graders in Campbell County.

“Cloud Peak Energy is proud to play a part in promoting early childhood literacy. The First Lady’s initiative parallels our key priority regarding youth and education in our communities. Cloud Peak Energy is happy to bring Wyoming Firsts to students in Campbell County,” said Michelle Butler, Cloud Peak Energy’s Manager of Public Affairs and Community Relations.

To date, nearly 20,000 first graders in Wyoming have received a copy of Wyoming Firsts. Both soft cover and hard cover editions are also available for purchase through the Wyoming State Museum gift shop online and in the Cheyenne store.