De Borgia
De Borgia, MT · Education
hellgatelance.com
Hellgate Says Goodbye to Retiring Teachers
Hellgate wouldn’t be the same without its stellar group of experienced teachers. This year, our school is saying goodbye to a few of them. The Lance would like to thank these teachers for their contribution and dedication with a feature about their time at Hellgate and their next steps.
Flathead Beacon
Coach Bennett is Only Guilty of Running a Successful Program
I am an educator at Glacier High School. I have been in the Kalispell School District for the last 25 years. At times over the years, I have coached basketball (at Kalispell Junior High), softball, and football (at FHS and GHS), and for the last nine years, eighth-grade football at Kalispell Middle School. I have seen high school coaches recruit middle school players by writing letters to parents and talking to individuals after practice. One coach offered varsity playing time by the time players were sophomores (if they came to his school). That is blatant recruiting. I never saw Grady Bennett recruit in these last nine years.
Char-Koosta News
Two Eagle graduates celebrated through stories of resilience, growth
PABLO, Mont. — Twenty graduates wearing beaded caps, eagle feathers, and decorated gowns earned their diplomas in front of a gym filled with supporters at the Eagles Nest on May 24. Two Eagle River School celebrated the Class of 2026 with songs, prayers, and heartfelt tributes honoring each student’s journey.
Flathead Beacon
Local School Districts Grapple with Levy Fallout
At Kalispell Public Schools’ first board meeting after voters rejected its most recent levy ask, district clerk Chris Campbell offered a stark assessment of the elementary district’s budget projection for the next two years. “I don’t want to make light of it, but the first round of reductions...
Whitefish Pilot
Photos: Talented young musicians at spring concert
Photos from the Whitefish Middle School spring orchestra concert on Thursday, May 21. Katerina Fredrickson, seventh grade cellist at the Whitefish Middle School spring orchestra concert on May 21. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish PIlot) Hudson Barbieri, seventh grade violist, at the Whitefish Middle School spring orchestra concert on May 21. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish PIlot) Annika Hughes and Ania Muhlner, eighth grade violinists at the Whitefish Middle School spring orchestra concert on May 21. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish PIlot) Blake Watson, seventh grade bassist at the Whitefish Middle School spring orchestra concert on May 21. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish PIlot) Evie Rutledge, seventh grade cellist at the Whitefish Middle School spring orchestra concert on May 21. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish PIlot) Luke Rothfuss, eighth grade violinist at the Whitefish Middle School spring orchestra concert on May 21. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish PIlot) Vivian Parsons, eighth grade violist at the Whitefish Middle School spring orchestra concert on May 21. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish PIlot) The Whitefish Middle School seventh and eighth grade orchestra spring concert on May 21. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
Whitefish Pilot
Photos: Whitefish High School seniors awarded scholarships
The Whitefish High School Scholarship Ceremony on Monday, May 18. A total of 32 seniors attended as 94 local awards were given out. The 2026 Whitefish High School scholarship awards ceremony on Monday, May 18. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) Sam Nissen at the 2026 Whitefish High School scholarship awards ceremony on Monday, May 18. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot) The 2026 Whitefish High School scholarship awards ceremony on Monday, May 18. (Photo provided by Whitefish Education Foundation) The 2026 Whitefish High School scholarship awards ceremony on Monday, May 18. (Photo provided by Whitefish Education Foundation) The 2026 Whitefish High School scholarship awards ceremony on Monday, May 18. (Photo provided by Whitefish Education Foundation) The 2026 Whitefish High School scholarship awards ceremony on Monday, May 18. (Photo provided by Whitefish Education Foundation) The 2026 Whitefish High School scholarship awards ceremony on Monday, May 18. (Photo provided by Whitefish Education Foundation) The 2026 Whitefish High School scholarship awards ceremony on Monday, May 18. (Photo provided by Whitefish Education Foundation)
Flathead Beacon
Glacier and Flathead High Schools Eye Playoff Push in Inaugural Seasons
In the year 2026, the feat of being the “first” to do something in the sports world seems few and far between, especially in a game that formally took shape in 1845. But for young baseball players across Montana, the last few years have been a continuous cycle of “firsts” as more teams join the high school ranks following the state’s inaugural sanctioned season in 2023.
Flathead Beacon
Sister Judy Caps St. Matthew’s Teaching Career with Spirit of Montana Award
As Sister Judy Lund sat and spoke with Marygrace Knuffke, a St. Matthew’s alumna who is serving out her year as Miss Montana’s Outstanding Teen, Knuffke told her she’d be attending the University of Alabama on a scholarship after she graduates in June. “That’s a good choice,”...
Char-Koosta News
SKC to Celebrate Class of 2026 on Saturday, June 6th
PABLO, MT — Salish Kootenai College will celebrate the Class of 2026 during its commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Joe McDonald Health & Fitness Center on the SKC campus. The ceremony will honor graduates completing degrees and certificates across a variety of...
Hungry Horse News
Alexander signs with Virginia Military Institute
Standout soccer player Isla Alexander has signed to play with the Virginia Military Institute. Alexander was the center back for the Columbia Falls girls soccer team her senior year, anchoring a tenacious defense that won the state A championship. Alexander is only the second player in Columbia Falls girls’ soccer history to sign with a Division I program. The first was Josie Windauer. Alexander was first team all-conference this season. As a junior she played forward and had 14 goals. Alexander has a 4.0 grade point average and plans on studying mechanical engineering and then commissioning as a second lieutenant in the Marines upon graduation from the esteemed military college.
NBCMontana
FVCC Foundation summer fundraiser to support Trades Institute expansion
MISSOULA, Mont. — The Flathead Valley Community College Foundation will host a summer fundraising event July 10 to support expansion of the college’s Trades Institute. The event, titled “Trades Secrets: A Look Behind the Shop Doors,” will feature guided tours of the Trades Institute, speakers, a live auction and a culinary experience prepared by the Culinary Institute of Montana under Chef Andy Blanton.
Whitefish Pilot
School board will welcome new trustees as new hiring policy is discussed
The Whitefish School Board is expected to discuss hiring policy during a public work session on June 23 from 6-8 p.m. The work session was scheduled after pushback from the community about a hiring process for an assistant track coach earlier this season. The district last month reopened the position for an assistant track coach which had previously been closed after the school board rejected the candidate recommended by coaches and school administration. The board on April 28 approved the hire of Megan Zonich as assistant track coach, effectively filling the staffing gap which coaches had said was unsafe and unequitable due to the lack of female coaches. The Whitefish High School expansion project is on schedule according to updates provided at a May 12 board meeting. More than the anticipated amount of asbestos was found during demolition of the high school gym foyer, Luke Hamman, owner’s representative reported. There were layers of historical roofing buried underneath newer layers that took more demolition time. The remediation has since been completed. The athletic site has been cleared. Foundation work for the bleachers, buildings and underground utility work is underway. Summer activities that typically use the gym and weight room will generally
Valley Press - Mineral Independent
Hot Springs and Noxon take part in teacher apprenticeship program
Hot Springs and Noxon school districts are taking part in Montana’s Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program. Through a $1 million federal grant, Western Governors University is partnering with 26 Montana school districts to prepare 78 new teacher apprentices in six high-need certification areas, supporting a stronger, more sustainable teacher workforce across Montana, particularly in rural and underserved areas, according to information from Gov. Greg Gianforte's office. Through the program, apprentices will be paid for the full four-year duration of their classroom experience and will receive ongoing, hands-on experience under the guidance of experienced mentor teachers while completing their academic coursework through accredited higher education partners. Upon successful completion of the program, apprentices will become licensed K-12 educators in Montana. “We are incredibly proud to deepen our partnership with one of our founding states through the Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program,” said Dr. Jeff Borden, Executive Dean and Senior Vice President of the WGU School of Education. “Thanks to this grant, we are working to eliminate financial hurdles for our candidates and ensuring that Montana’s rural and frontier classrooms will be led by highly qualified, homegrown educators. We thank the Governor for his visionary leadership in workforce development and are proud to work
NBCMontana
MHSA suspends Glacier High School football head coach for two games
KALISPELL, Mont. — Defending Class AA state football champion Glacier High School will start the 2026 season without head coach Grady Bennett. The MHSA has voted to suspend Bennett for two games following a recruiting violation ruling. At a hearing on April 20 in Helena with school administrators from...
Lake County Leader
Time Capsule: Polson college rents school, Polson wins speech meet, bass fishing praised
The Flathead Courier, May 12, 1966 School Board Authorizes Building Use by College Polson school board members, on Monday night, unanimously approved a motion to allow Mission Mountain College to use school facilities for its five-week summer session, June 12 - July 15. The board instructed Supt. W. R. Anderson to confer with college representatives to determine what rental rate would be paid. Anderson estimated that the amount would be between $300 and $500 for the period. Requesting the facilities was Dr. Ralph Y. McGinnis, who will be the director of the summer session. He said there would be a need for a maximum of six classrooms; use of the gym; and use of the Lincoln auditorium for about eight of the public lecture programs. He also said there would be a need for library space and that a local school librarian would be employed on a part-time basis by the college. Dr. McGinnis said it could be arranged to have the library open only during hours that the librarian is on duty. He outlined some of the background of the college project for board members. He said directors of Western Montana Higher Education Council, Inc., decided last winter to
Whitefish Pilot
Looking Back: Screening committee formed to find new high school principal
A look back at past Pilot articles by Julie Engler 50 Years Ago May 13, 1976 Members of the District 44 school board considered a range of subjects, from roof repairs to hiring a new principal for the high school. A screening committee composed of Mr. Sloan, Mrs. Hoffman, Mr. Grover, Mrs. Satterley, Mr. Morris and Russ Giesy would screen all candidates for the post of high school principal and would call the final selections for personal interviews with the school. It was decided that John Morris, curriculum coordinator, would work with a special team of six teachers to outline coordination and development of a slower English track for those students unable to handle the regular English program. 40 Years Ago May 14, 1986 A “Save the Foundation” rally attracted more than 800 people registering their opposition to a 4% cut in the state's financial foundation program. The foundation allots a set amount of funding from the general fund to each school district based upon enrollment. A cut of 4% would total an estimated loss of over $900,000 in the valley, $11 million statewide. The “cut” is actually a 4% increase promised the schools for the second biennium of the
Lake County Leader
Polson PEO chapter awards three memorial scholarships
P.E.O. Chapter AI, Polson, presented three $1,000 Memorial Scholarships to three well deserving graduating seniors at Polson High School's Senior Decision Day on May 11. Recipients are Patience Hatch, who plans to attend the University of Puget Sound and will study Occupational Therapy; Madison Lake, who plans to attend Montana Tech and study Dentistry; and Raya Lucas, who will head to Vanderbilt University and study Mechanical Engineering. P.E.O. is a philanthropic organization that promotes the education of women worldwide through scholarships, grants, awards, loans and the stewardship of Cottey College in Missouri. ‘= Although P.E.O. is an international organization, the scholarship comes from Chapter AI, a Polson chapter that has a designated fund for local young women pursuing higher education. This memorial scholarship honors Myrtle Sweet, Faye Harris, Doris Herbert and Sarah Jane Hanson, past members of Chapter AI who bequeathed funds to help local women achieve their highest aspirations.
Whitefish Pilot
Whitefish High School senior aims to be a force in women's equality across the globe
Whitefish High School senior Allison Ponti’s passion to serve, ability to connect with people no matter the circumstances and desire to make a difference across the globe have led her to know exactly what she wants to do after college before even beginning classes at the University of Montana this fall. Ponti has always loved community service, but two separate Rotary International service trips to Guatemala have changed her outlook on life, inspiring her to pursue a double major in political science and education, with a minor in Spanish language, on the pre-law track. Ponti aspires to be a teacher and a human and women’s rights attorney, and to help people in everything she does. The Guatemala service trips led Ponti to her future path. Ponti, along with other Whitefish and Montana-based students, installed water filters at rural schools, taught hygiene habits to children, handed out hygiene supplies and completed other projects like painting walls and picking up litter. On her trips to Guatemala, she learned about how young girls struggle to stay in school, and the issues of violence against women. “They’re still fighting to be equal,” she explained. It’s why Ponti wants to work abroad in a Latin