A CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE H 2020 The Helena Education Foundation honors the 2020 Class of Distinguished Scholars and Distinguished Achievers, and the Distinguished Educators who inspired them EXCELLENCE is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives—choice, not chance, determines your destiny. —Aristotle Welcome to a A CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE! A Celebration of Excellence provides public recognition of extraordinary public school students and outstanding educators. By honoring achievements of these individuals, the Foundation: n Demonstrates community appreciation n Provides a positive reinforcement for for the efforts of public school students, younger students and a goal for which they educators and parents; can strive; and n Acknowledges the critical partnership n Involves the community and businesses in among schools, home, business and the building awareness and confidence in our community; public schools. STUDENTS A Celebration of Excellence recognizes exceptional students who have demonstrated their efforts in the class- room, school and in the community day after day, year after year. Distinguished Scholars were selected on the basis of criteria developed by high school students, teachers and administrators, including grade point average; number of honors, advanced placement and other higher level courses; total credit hours and activities and community service. Teachers nominated Distinguished Achievers based on excellence in a specific curricular area, leadership, service or overcoming obstacles to achievement. Criteria for Distinguished Scholars and Achievers are regularly reviewed and updated to remain compatible with current course offerings. EDUCATORS A Celebration of Excellence honors Distinguished Educators. Each student identified an educator who has had a significant, positive impact on his or herlife and wrote a short message about why that educator was selected. The Helena Education Foundation salutes these fine educators and thanksthem for sharing their talents, knowledge, creativity and love of learning with our youth. They make a difference in our schools and community, one student and one class at a time. OUR MISSION The Helena Education Foundation enriches education in Helena Public Schools through investment of time, talent, funding and resources, providing students, staff and the community unparalleled opportunities. THANK YOU TO OUR CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE SPONSORS: Keith and Katie Meyer ®Registered Marks of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an Association of Independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. THANK YOU TO THE 2020 CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE PAGE SPONSORS: Allegiance Benefit Jack and Penny Copps Phil Hohenlohe and Scott Pargot and Katy Wright Plan Management Cordillera Communications Andrea Rankin Robert Peccia & Associates Allegra Marketing, Print, Mail Tom and Lisa Cordingley Barry Hood and Eliza Frazer ReachHigher Montana Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co. P.C. Crowley Fleck, PLLP Independent Record Rotary Club of Helena Tim Ballweber Chuck Johnson and Corey and Darci Crum Patricia Hunt SMA Architects Merwin and Sandra Barrows Dick Anderson Construction Smitty's Fireplace Shop John and Jennifer Bloomquist LifeTouch Mark and Lynn Etchart Jeff and Perri May Sodexo School Services Blue Cross Blue Shield First Interstate Bank Jack Stults and of Montana Keith and Katie Meyer Daphne Crosbie Bob's Valley Market Jeff and Libby Goldes Montana Book Co. Lynne Grosfield Sullivan Financial Group Browning Kaleczyc Montana EyeCare Tempest Technologies Berry & Hoven, PC Rick and Jane Hays Montana's Credit Unions Dale Tig Vernon Carroll College Helena Education Association Morrison-Maierle Sarah Chilton Helena Exchange Club Duane and Sue Wright Mark O’Keefe and Lucy Dayton Robert and Kimberly Worthy 4 | A CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE 2020 HELENA EDUCATION FOUNDATION e will not soon forget the Spring of 2020, least of all this year’s Distinguished Scholars and Achievers and their Distinguished Educators. The spring of 2020 was historic—a time when Helena joined the rest of the world in combating a deadly virus. We stayed home; we wore masks; businesses and organizations closed, and computers became our classrooms. School administrators, educators and students rallied together to find effective and creative ways to continue to provide and engage in learning, as well as to support one another. In keeping with state safety recommendations, we thought it irresponsible to host a gathering of 400 plus people—as a result the Celebration of Excellence banquet could not take place this year. The following pages reflect our students and educators illustrating what it was like to teach and learn from home. Additionally students created videos reading the essays they wrote for their educators— these videos are available on the hefmt.org website. Educators selected books that would be meaningful to their Distinguished Students and submitted personal inscriptions to be included. These messages contain words of inspiration, hope, admiration and pride. The 2020 Celebration of Excellence students and educators are distinguished for the same reasons their predecessors were distinguished: they achieved high academic success; they are leaders; they worked hard; they achieved. This class is exceptional for additional reasons. During a global crisis, they endured extraordinary changes, sometimes fear and often exhaustion, while demonstrating resilience, perseverance and sacrifice for the greater good. There is no doubt that this experience will influence their futures in profound ways, perhaps with a new perspective of themselves and a wider lens through which to view those around them. Distinguished Students of the Class of 2020, we look forward to watching what you become and how you shape the world. —COREY CRUM, President, Helena Education Foundation Board of Directors HELENA EDUCATION Jennifer Bloomquist HELENA HELENA FOUNDATION Past-President PUBLIC SCHOOLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS STAFF BOARD OF TRUSTEES ADMINISTRATION Susan Blossom 2019-2020 Lisa Cordingley Ellie Doran Luke Muszkiewicz Tyler Ream Executive Director Capital High Student Representative Chair Superintendent of Schools Teresa Geremia-Chart Lynn Etchart Terry Beaver Wynn Randall Principal, Project for Deputy Director Vice Chair Graden Hahn Alternative Learning Kendra Lenhardt Zyanne Cervantes Steve Thennis HELENA EDUCATION Capital High Student Representative FOUNDATION Principal, Tom McGree Helena High School BOARD OF DIRECTORS Libby Goldes Tim Meldrum Corey Crum Siobhan Hathhorn Brett Zanto Principal, President Tyler Ream Jeff Hindoien Capital High School Superintendent of Schools –ex officio Kyle Spencer John H. McEwen President-Elect Sue Sweeney Hannah Muszkiewicz Chris Christensen Lenny Triem Helena High Student Representative Treasurer Helena High Student Representative Sarah Sullivan Merwin Barrows Secretary Jennifer Walsh HEFMT.ORG A CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE 2020 | 5 About the Helena Educa tion Foundation CONNECTIONS n Issues Institutes provide unique learning opportunities on current and emerging topics affecting youth and The Helena Education Foundation (HEF) is a leader families; and topics that elevate our community and among Montana’s public school foundations. Supporting enhance the desirability of Helena as a place to live. students and educators, the Foundation enriches our Recent Issues Institutes have addressed opioid addition schools, helping to make our Helena community a (Chasing the Dragon) and teen suicide (Cracked Not Broken). healthy, happy and prosperous place to live, work and raise a family. n Harrison Writing Awards focus on the importance of writing skills and recognize outstanding young writers PROGRAMS with cash awards. HEF’s programs benefit students, teachers, parents, n Pen & Ink magazine features the creative work of stu- administrators and the community. No doubt, you or dent writers and artists. someone you know, has been impacted by our work. STRUCTURE n Carnival Classic kicks off each school year with a The Helena Education Foundation: community-wide celebration of public education. Is a 501(c)3 tax exempt charity and philanthropic n Fabulous Firsts gives every incoming first grader organization of local citizens independent of the Helena (more than 600) an award-winning, hard cover book Public School District but one that is complementary of his or her own and full sets to school libraries. to and collaborative with it. n Great Conversations provides a night of thought- Works to increase private support for public education provoking conversation about relevant topics to promote above and beyond that which is constitutionally lifelong learning. mandated and provided. n Great Ideas Grants awards more than $40,000 Serves as a catalyst and funding source for new and annually to teachers for innovative classroom projects innovative ideas, programs and education methods. and experiences. Relies on donations to fund ongoing work and to n Celebration of Excellence honors distinguished provide new programs to meet the emerging needs of graduating scholars, achievers and their educators— our students and community. celebrating excellence, drive and leadership. Strives for excellence in organizational practices through a community representative board of directors, n Trading Places fosters understanding and collaboration systems that adhere to governance best practices and by linking community and school leaders.