For two young men from St. Regis who grew up as cousins and friends, a shared love of public service has led them on remarkably similar journeys from the halls of high school to the nation's capital.

Connor Dunlap and Carter Jasper, both graduates of St. Regis High School and the University of Montana, have each earned the opportunity to serve in the Washington, D.C., office of Montana Sen. Steve Daines. While their paths have taken them to different stages of life and career, their stories reflect a common commitment to leadership, public service and their Montana roots.

"This is very exciting news. We are proud of both of them," said St. Regis School Principal Shaun Ball, who recently completed his 10th year at the school. "Both of these young men were destined for greatness. They are charismatic and have a passion for creating change through the political process." 

Ball has seen firsthand the leadership qualities that have defined both young men. In fact, some policies at St. Regis School today still reflect the efforts of Jasper during his student years. 

About six years ago, students were not allowed to wear hats in school, and only seniors were permitted to leave campus for lunch. Believing those policies were unfair, Jasper worked through student leadership channels to advocate for change. Thanks in part to his efforts, students are now allowed to wear hats at school, and sophomores, juniors and seniors can leave campus during lunch periods.

Dunlap graduated from St. Regis High School in 2018 before attending the University of Montana, where he earned a degree in political science with a minor in philosophy. His interest in government and public service led him to pursue opportunities in Washington, D.C., though the Covid-19 pandemic delayed his original plans. 

"I had originally attempted to get a D.C. internship through the university's Baucus Institute in 2020," Dunlap explained. "Those efforts were unfortunately put on hold as the pandemic began." 

His opportunity eventually arrived in the spring of 2022 when he interned for Daines on Capitol Hill. 

"It was an incredible opportunity to be able to see the process of government while on the Hill," Dunlap said. 

During his internship, he witnessed significant national events, including the federal response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. His primary responsibility involved answering phones and communicating directly with Montana constituents. That role quickly became his favorite part of the job. 

"Getting to talk to other people from Montana, hearing their thoughts on current politics, and assisting them with casework requests was incredibly rewarding," he said. "The casework requests were especially important to me because people would call with a number of issues, and I could connect them with resources that could help." 

As his cousin begins his own Capitol Hill career, Dunlap offers a simple but important piece of advice. 

"The main responsibility of any political office is public service," he said. "Do everything in your power to make Montana a better place for every single person, not just the ones who voted for Senator Daines." 

Earlier this month, Dunlap celebrated another major milestone, earning his Juris Doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School in New York City. He currently lives in Brooklyn with his partner, Emily, whom he met while attending the University of Montana. The couple has embraced life in New York.

"We absolutely love living in this city," Dunlap said. "I think more than anything, the food is what makes the idea of ever leaving difficult." 

For now, however, much of his attention is focused on preparing for the New York Bar Exam, which he will take at the end of July. Afterward, he plans to begin a position with Vox Funding, a business financing firm in Midtown Manhattan. While he can envision a long future in New York, Montana remains close to his heart. 

"I'll always miss home," he said. "I only get back once or twice a year now, but I always love seeing friends and family and spending time in St. Regis and Missoula, which are two of my favorite places in the world."

Meanwhile, Jasper is beginning his own chapter in Washington, D.C. A 2022 graduate of St. Regis High School, he earned his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Montana in May. 

During his time at UM, he distinguished himself through academic achievement and public service. He was a member of the Davidson Honors College, the Franke Global Leadership Initiative, the Max S. Baucus Institute, and Sigma Chi Fraternity. From 2025 to 2026, Jasper also served as Student Regent on the Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education after being appointed by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte. 

Today, Jasper serves as a staff assistant in Daines' office. His responsibilities include answering constituent calls, coordinating tours, and supporting the senator's staff in serving the people of Montana. 

"Helping connect Montanans with their government is an important part of what we do every day," he said. 

Jasper expects to remain with Daines' office through January 2027 and hopes to continue working on Capitol Hill after the senator's retirement. While he plans to remain in Washington for the foreseeable future, he says his long-term goal is clear. 

"Ultimately, I want to return home to Montana," he said.

Though they now find themselves pursuing careers thousands of miles from the Clark Fork Valley, both cousins remain deeply connected to the place where their journey began. From student leadership in St. Regis to service in the nation's capital, Connor Dunlap and Carter Jasper represent the opportunities available to young people from rural Montana. Their accomplishments demonstrate that while Montana may be home, its graduates are capable of making an impact wherever opportunity leads them.

    Carter Jasper graduated from the University of Montana last month and is now in Washington, D.C. working for Sen. Steve Daines. (Courtesy photo)