Susanna M. Lopez, granddaughter of Savino “S.C.” Lopez, was born and raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She graduated from St. Mary High School in 1977, and she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Journalism in 1983 from the College of Education at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming.
Sue’s 31-year-teaching career would be spent teaching English and Journalism at Cheyenne Central High School and teaching English at Cheyenne East High School. During her tenure, Sue wrote the curriculum as well as taught the curriculum for the course Multicultural Literature which initially was an English elective, but later it earned a Senior English credit status.
In 2000, the University of Wyoming’s Honors Program recognized Sue Lopez as an outstanding pre-college teacher, and her “critical role in influencing the intellectual development of tomorrow’s leaders.” In 2002, Ms. Lopez was named HOPE’s (Hispanic Organization for Progress and Education) Teacher of the Year. That same year, Laramie County School District #1 recognized Sue for her achievement. In 2004, Needs Inc. recognized Sue Lopez for her many years of collecting multiple truckloads of food per year which she and her students donated to Needs Inc. at Christmas time. In 2005, East’s graduating class elected Ms. Lopez as their faculty commencement speaker. In 2006-2007, Sue Lopez was the recipient of the CBS News Channel 5 Golden Apple Award.
Sue’s endeavors reached beyond the school house doors; for 10 years, she served as an Opinion Columnist with the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle. As for her avocation, Sue has earned awards for some of her stained-glass panels. Today, Sue is married and is enjoying retirement in Northern Colorado.