Paranormal investigators explore haunted frontiers

For Gina Blackburn, investigating the paranormal is an enthralling fascination. Experiences throughout her life with entities from outside the perceived boundaries of existence have intrigued her endlessly. The interest led to her meeting her husband, Arron, with the couple even getting engaged while on a ghost tour in Prescott, Arizona.  

Today, Gina and Arron are the co-founders of Way Out West Paranormal, a Cheyenne-based team of four investigators on a mission to uncover the mysteries of the supernatural lurking in the heart of the West. As part of that team’s mission, they debuted the first episode of their paranormal investigation streaming show on ParaFlixx (basically Netflix for paranormal subject matter) on Sept. 6, looking into the Nelson Museum of the West in Cheyenne. Their next episode debuts on Oct. 31, investigating the “Whiteface House” in Yates Center, Kansas. 

Organizing a team, launching a streaming series and more hasn’t been an easy task, Gina said. However, with the skills she’s acquired as part of her time pursuing a degree in the Business & Accounting Pathway at Laramie County Community College, she said she’s been able to overcome challenges and achieve remarkable things.

“I wanted to pass and get the degree, and anyone can if they put forth the effort,” Gina said. “You just have to know that you are fully supported, and LCCC truly wants you to succeed. Even in algebra, I've gone to office hours a few times, and sometimes I feel like my questions are ridiculous, but my instructor has been fantastically patient and really wants to help.”

Growing up in Wisconsin, Gina was active in extracurriculars, such as band, choir, drama and speech, competing at the state level in all activities. She joined the U.S. Air Force after high school and served as a Security Forces member for five years, exiting the service honorably to focus on being a mom. (Interestingly, Gina’s son, who she was pregnant with when leaving the military, is now almost 30 and serves in the Air Force.)

Gina has proudly served the community’s young people as a child nutrition professional with Laramie County School District 1 since 2004, considering herself a “lunch lady extraordinaire.” A job that started in an on-call substitution role, Gina rose in the ranks to become the Nutrition Services supervisor. 

“Someone said once, and I thought it was brilliant: ‘No one dreams of becoming a lunch lady, but it has made my dreams come true,’” she said.

Climbing the organization ladder any higher, Gina realized, would require a college credential. That led to her beginning at LCCC in Fall 2022. 

While Gina was initially inclined to take incremental steps, she found that she was capable of more than she knew. 

“I spoke with my Student Success Coach and said, ‘Alright, I want to go back to school and get my degree,’ but I was a little intimidated because I'm 50 — I turned 50 in April — so I thought I could handle one or two classes a semester,” she said. “But he suggested starting with three. I gave it a shot, and it worked. For the last few semesters, I’ve been taking four classes, so now I’m considered a full-time student.”

As a Business Management student, Gina is gaining knowledge to help her in her aspirational role as Nutrition Services supervisor. As a Phi Theta Kappa member, she’s also putting her academic achievement as a high priority, being named on the President’s Honor Roll in past semesters. 

In the Strategies for Success course during her freshman year, Gina was introduced to LCCC faculty and resources who would help her launch her paranormal investigation venture. That introduction included the Entrepreneurship Lab, located in the Andrikopolous Business & Technology Building, which is a 1,000-square-foot makerspace that includes 3d printers, a laser etcher, heat press, a Dremel tool, sewing machines and more. Open to students, staff and faculty at no cost, the Entrepreneurship Lab offers unique opportunities to those at LCCC with a creative inclination. 

The training and strategies Gina developed at LCCC had a direct impact on her and Arron’s ambition to form their paranormal investigation team, she said. While the ideas for their project were there, the programs at LCCC made an adept launch possible. 

“The Entrepreneurship Program taught me valuable things, especially in marketing, that boosted my confidence and provided resources we needed,” she said. “Even the online tools we use for school now completely blow my mind.”

LCCC’s Entrepreneurship Program is designed to provide students with comprehensive training in starting and managing their own businesses. It covers a range of essential skills, including feasibility testing of business ideas, sales and branding techniques, creating business plans and digital strategies for online presence. Additionally, the program focuses on financial planning, business communications, marketing for small businesses, and is structured to be adaptable as either an add-on to other degrees or as a standalone certificate. Gina completed her entrepreneurship certificate in May. 

With the know-how and tools to launch their projects, Way Out West Paranormal is making its mark on investigating the world in extraordinary ways. Their connections in the world of paranormal investigation led them to build a stellar team, consisting of Arron Blackburn, lead investigator and founder; Gina Blackburn, investigator and founder; Jackie Suntrup, investigator; and Jason Smith, video and audio technician and investigator.

The team conducts public investigations where people can join them, which helps fund their trips to other haunted locations. For example, groups have gone to the Knights of Pythias in downtown Cheyenne, where paranormal experiences can be frighteningly real. 

“On the night we held the debut of ‘Way Out West Paranormal’ on the LCCC campus, we decided to throw an after-party for everyone that was in attendance at the Knights of Pythias,” Gina said. “Eight people took us up on our offer, and we investigated the Knights that night until about one in the morning. It was incredible — we gathered so much evidence.”

There’s a lot that’s left to unfold for Gina. She’s considering pursuing a bachelor’s degree when she completes her associate, and the sky is the limit for Way Out West Paranormal, too. Gina said she’s grateful for the people and programs at LCCC that have helped her achieve great things in her education and in pursuing her passion. 

Gina changed her life with the power of education and said others can do, whatever their doubts may be. 

“Do it because you can't go backward in time — you're moving forward,” she said. “So what's to lose? Maybe you won't do as well, or maybe you'll become a Phi Theta Kappa member. How did I do that? No idea. All I wanted was to pass and get the degree, and with enough effort, anyone can do it.”

Go to lccc.wy.edu/business for more information about the Business & Accounting Pathway at LCCC. Way Out West Paranormal can be found via their Instagram and Facebook, and on Paraflixx.