Salute to Valedictorians 2011

Salute to Valedictorians Class of 2011

Business partners and business volunteers

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Sa Salute u e to o Valedictorians a ed c o a s - Class 2011

The Education Foundation and Billings Gazette Communications are proud to honor businesses that support education in our community and the students who have achieved the status of valedictorian in their high school.

Partners Salute 2011

Partners Salute 2011

Page 2 Partners in Action

Page 2 Partners in Education

Page 3 Meet the Valedictorians

Page 4-8 Salute to Valedictorians 2011 is a special advertising publication of The Billings Gazette.

What is Partners in Education?

Partners in Education is a community-wide partnership between schools, businesses and community members dedicated to ensuring the success of all K-12 students and schools in the Billings area.

What is the goal of Partners in Education?

The goal of Partners in Education is to build mutually benefiting partnerships between schools and businesses that result in school improvement, teaching each chin ing g ex excellence,,

student achievement and appreciaclassroom events tion of common community goals.

• Donating in-kind services, materials or equipment What kinds of • Volunteering as contest judges, partnerships are there? fieldtrip chaperones or pen pals There are many ways that organizations and businesses can participate What are the benefits in a partnership with the schools in of a partnership?

Billings. Each partnership is unique, Many schools get additional supdepending upon the capacity of port through the partnerships such the business and the needs of the as tutors, mentors and extracurschool. Example activities include: ricular activities for students. Students also get the chance to meet • Tutoring or mentoring students • Providing incentives for students adult mentors in the community and learn about career choices. and faculty Likewise, enjoy •S Speaking Spe peaking at a Caree Career er Da Day y or o other ther th er Likewise se, many many employees emp mplo loye yees es enj joy

the opportunity to do something positive for the community and to be given time by their employer to do so. Businesses also benefit from the positive image of giving back to the Billings community.

How do I start a partnership at my school or business?

To learn more about starting a partnership at your school or business, please contact Krista Hertz at (406) 245-4133, or by email at hertzk@ billingsschools.org.

Partnerships in Action Billings businesses make a difference in Billings public schools

Sales and Marketing Director Dave Worstell Special Sections Coordinator Linsay Duty Section Designer Christine Cleveland

Access Salute to Valedictorians 2011 anytime at billingsgazette. com/special-section/ valedictorians

Cellular Plus and Burlington Elementary Enthusiasm best describes the Cellular Plus and Burlington Elementary partnership. On a weekly basis, volunteers from Cellular Plus assist in several classrooms and on the playground teaching playground games to students.

At the start of each year, students from Burlington Elementary receive a Burlington Elementary T-shirt from Cellular Plus. These T-shirts are worn by students and staff on special occasions.

The Spooktacular and annual school carnival have some of the coolest raffle baskets due to donations from Cellular Plus. Volunteers from Cellular Plus help at school functions, such as the school carnival and Saturday Live, where much needed dollars are raised for technology and other school needs.

Burlington Elementary students collected $450 in change through a coin drive, and the Burlington PTA matched the amount. The money collected was donated to St. Jude’s in honor of Cellular Plus and the support they give the students at Burlington.

Students at Burlington Elemen-

On a weekly basis, volunteers from Cellular Plus assist in several classrooms at Burlington Elementary. tary are very appreciative of their partnership with Cellular Plus.

Now Your Talkin’.

CTA Architects and Engineers and Newman Elementary “I didn’t know my tutor was

really Santa’s elf,” exclaimed a 1st grader at Newman Elementary during the annual CTA holiday event. Each year an employee from CTA becomes Santa. He is joined by several CTA elves to deliver a gift to each student at Newman. The gifts are made possible through CTA employee donations to the Newman Fund.

The Newman Fund also provides funding for students who are in need of a meal, warm clothing or other necessities that are shared with CTA by the school principal.

Students at Newman form a special bond with the CTA employees who volunteer on a weekly basis at the school. The one-on-one mentoring is critical for the success of the students, especially those who need extra practice in reading and math.

The difference the CTA volunteers make can be seen in improved test scores at the school and an increased self-confidence by the students. CTA believes in helping students understand career opportunities that they can pursue after they graduate and the importance of working hard in school to reach those goals.

Each year CTA hosts a special

Earth Day project for all students at Newman. Earth Day projects vary each year. One year, students planted trees and another year students learned about why paper is recycled.

Sixth Grade Career Day is the highlight of the year for most 6th graders at Newman. Students join CTA volunteers to tour projects that CTA engineers and architects have been working on around Billings.

At each work site, students put on hard hats and discuss the nuances to each project. They also discuss the training for the jobs and which classes in school apply to these fields. Later in the day, students join employees at CTA for a barbeque and hands-on lessons in the fields of engineering and architecture.

The impact CTA has on the students at Newman can be summed up by the statement a 6th grader shared last year at the awards ceremony, “When I grow up I am going to be an engineer at CTA!” Congratulations on a successful partnership.

See Action page 3

Salute to Valedictorians - Class 2011

Page 3

Action Continued from page 2 Home Builders Association of Billings and the Career Center In the mid-1970s, the Home Builders Association of Billings (HBA) teamed up with Billings School District 2 to invest in the building industry’s future. The idea was to give high school students hands-on training, building one home per school year in Billings.

The partnership has been making a positive difference on students and the community from the very beginning, and this year the HBA of Billings and Career Center will celebrate 35 years of creating opportunities for our community’s students.

“This is a win-win partnership for our students, the Home Builders Association of Billings and the community. The partnership is extremely valuable in encouraging the upcoming workforce and providing them with hands-on training and support,” shared Ray Junkert, HBA of Billings president.

The partnership received national recognition and has become a prototype for other partnerships across the country. Currently in Montana, this is the only partnership of its nature fostering relationships between high school students and the building industry.

The HBA of Billings takes on the ownership of the lot and home, while the Career Center provides the instructors for the project. It has

Each year, the Home Builders Association of Billings and Career Center students team up to build a home. been so successful over the years that the project is now completely self-funded. The proceeds made on each house are reinvested in the next. The HBA of Billings works with Career Center teachers and students, making certain safety and building codes are strictly followed.

After safety training, students get more hands-on instruction at the construction site. Also, the HBA of Billings selects the lot, provides the house plan and markets the home for sale.

The partnership between the HBA of Billings and Career Center affects more than 150 students

in 17 courses. The groups work in tandem, building the home from the foundation up. Also, numerous professionals from across the community are directly involved in assisting students on all phases of the project.

employees. On a weekly basis, eight volunteers from KOA work with students in the areas of math and reading.

“The KOA volunteers are very important to our school and our students,” shared 4th grade teacher, Ms. Muhlbeier, “Kids look forward to working with the volunteers. The relationships that are formed between volunteers and students are immeasurable. You can see a student’s self-confidence increase as well as their sense of accomplishment when working with KOA mentors.”

KOA volunteers partnered with Cabela’s, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts last fall to bring the camping experience to Ponderosa students and families. KOA donates supplies for Saturday Live and the school carnival so the PTA can raise much needed funds for the school. KOA adopted a Ponderosa family at the holidays and provided gifts and supplies for them. Improving math scores is a priority this year for Ponderosa, and KOA volunteers have risen to the challenge. Twenty volunteers took part in the March Math Madness event teaching students math games.

On behalf of the students and staff at Ponderosa Elementary, THANK YOU KOA!!

KOA and Ponderosa Elementary Snapshots of other Great People, Great Kids and partnerships. . .

Great Partnerships is the motto for • ConocoPhillips provided the KOA and Ponderosa Elemenfunding for students from tary partnership. Through this Orchard, Newman and Ponpartnership, hundreds of kids at derosa Elementary to take part Ponderosa Elementary have benin the Audubon Conservation efited,, as well as numerous KOA Education Center and more

than $2,500 to Riverside Middle School for their science and math curriculum.

• General Electric Center of Excellence employees volunteer at Big Sky Elementary and Washington Elementary in a reading intervention program each week.

• Wells Fargo sponsors a diversity award to recognize students at Lewis and Clark Middle School at the end of the year.

• Altana Federal Credit Union employees volunteer on a weekly basis at Boulder Elementary helping students with reading.

• Stockman Bank hosted a financial literacy 101 class for families at Orchard Elementary during the annual school carnival.

• Stockton Oil and ExxonMobil Education Alliance Grants have contributed $6,000 to eight schools for math and science this year.

• First Interstate Bank employees volunteer at Bitterroot, Meadowlark and Highland elementary throughout the school year and support several projects.

• American Medical Response volunteers were a part of the Eagle Cliff Elementary school carnival.

• Wendy’s of Montana and Washington Elementary have been partners for five years.

• St. Vincent Healthcare partners with the health enhancement program at Broadwater Elementary encouraging kids to be active throughout the school year.

2011 Partners in Education Businesses making a difference in the lives of Billings students • Altana Federal Credit Union and Boulder Elementary • American Appliance and the Career Center • American Medical Response and Eagle Cliffs Elementary • Berry Y&V and the Career Center • Billings Clinic and the Career Center • Billings Clinic and McKinley Elementary • Bresnan Communications and Central Heights Elementary • Carpet One and the Career Center • Cellular Plus and Burlington Elementary • City of Billings Met Transit and the Career Center • ConocoPhillips and Orchard Elementary and South Side Neighborhood Schools • CTA Architects and Engineers and Newman Elementary • Denny Menholt and the Career Center • EBMS and Big Sky Elementary

• Expert Tire and the Career Center • ExxonMobil and Bench Elementary • ExxonMobil Educational Alliance Grants and Stockton Oil and Billings Public Schools • Farmers Insurance Agents and Sandstone Elementary • Faux Smith and the Career Center • First Interstate Bank and Highland Elementary • First Interstate Bank - Grand and Will James Middle School • First Interstate Bank - Heights and Bitterroot Elementary • First Interstate Bank - West and Meadowlark Elementary • Food Services of America and the Career Center • General Electric Center of Excellence and Big Sky Elementary and Washington Elementary • H&H Ent Alternative Energy and the Career Center

• Hanser’s Auto and the Career Center • Home Builders Association and the Career Center • Kampgrounds of America and Ponderosa Elementary • KTVQ-2 and Billings Public Schools • Local #30 Plumbers Pipefitters and the Career Center • McDonald’s and Beartooth Elementary • MD Drywall and the Career Center • MSU Billings College of Technology and the Career Center • National Restaurant Association of Billings and the Career Center • Rimrock Lighting and the Career Center • Rimrock Plaster and the Career Center • RiverStone Health and the Career Center • RSVP Program and Billings Public Schools

See Partners page 4

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Salute to Valedictorians - Class 2011

Partners

JANA GRAHAM PHOTOGRAPHY

CLARK MARTEN PHOTOGRAPHY

• Valley Federal Credit Union and Miles Avenue Elementary and Skyview High School • Willard’s Garage and the Career Center • Wells Fargo Bank and Lewis and Clark Middle School • Wendy’s of Montana and Washington Elementary • Yellowstone Bank and Broadwater Elementary

BRYANT PHOTOGRAPHICS

CLARK MARTEN PHOTOGRAPHY

GREGORY MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY

• St. Vincent Healthcare Foster Grandparent Program and Billings Public Schools Continued from page 3 • Sam’s Club and Ponderosa Elementary • Rocky Mountain College and Rose Park Elementary • Sign Pro and the Career Center • St. John’s Lutheran Ministries and Arrowhead Elemen- • Solomon Bruce Consulting and the Career Center tary • Stockman Bank and Orchard Elementary • St. Vincent Healthcare and Broadwater Elementary • Target - Heights and Alkali Creek Elementary • St. Vincent Healthcare and the Career Center • Taylor Electric and the Career Center

Aleksandra Krista Abrahamowicz Bailey

Lynsee Bazant

Shea Coons

Max Dimich-Louvet

High School: Billings Skyview High School Parents: Barbara Dudczak and Bogdan Abrahamowicz Post high school plans: I plan on attending a four-year university for pre-med. I’m currently looking at the University of Washington or the University of Pennsylvania.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: I’ve been playing the piano for about eight years now and have also been singing. In school, I’m part of the academic team, and I feel this has really allowed me to meet a lot of great people and learn so much new information.

Advice to Underclassmen: Looking back, I regret not being involved to more activities. There are so many great opportunities at Skyview. It really helps you find a place to fit and find people who share your same interests.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: I feel like my education has been a culmination of the influences of so many great teachers I’ve had.

High School: Billings West High School Parents: Lisa and Rob Bazant Post high school plans: Attend the Davidson Honors College at the University of Montana to study business.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Cross Country, Volleyball, Mentoring, Trading Cards, National Honors Society and Orchestra.

Advice to Underclassmen: Join as many clubs and sports as possible, work hard and ask teachers for help and advice when you need it. If you want to do something, go for it!

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Mr. Rob Stanton, West High School

High School: Billings Senior High School Parents: James Coons and Mary Lou Palmer Post high school plans: I plan on attending college at either Colorado State University or Oregon State University, but I am still undecided. I want to double major in wildlife biology so I can someday work with endangered species and art because it has always been an important part of my life.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Soccer, track, skiing, art and National Honor Society.

Advice to underclassmen: I would tell them to try their best and work hard because it really does pay off in the end. Even when things get rough, staying positive and getting support from friends helps you through it.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Mr. Dennis Johnson, Billings Senior High School

High School: Billings ngs Senior High School Parents: Nancy Dimich-Louvet and Thierry Louvet Post high school plans: I plan on majoring in Engineering at either Brown or Harvard University.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Eagle Mount Ski Program, Tennis, Cross Country, Presenter and Producer of Senior High Daily Announcements, Class President and National Honor Society.

Advice to Underclassmen: Take the most challenging classes, even if it means not getting an A. Take anything Vince Long teaches. Don’t miss Human Anatomy with Mr. Bartsch.

Travel to as many places as you can.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Mr. Vince Long, Senior High School

High School: Billings West High School Parents: Ieva and Ken Bailey Post high school plans: I plan to go to Stanford and study history or philosophy. Afterwards, I want to go to law school and later become a clerk for a judge. After working several years as a criminal law lawyer, I want to try to become a judge.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: I’ve participated in Speech and Debate, Philharmonic Orchestra, Trading Cards and National Honor Society.

Advice to Underclassmen: I believe it’s important to take classes that challenge you the most and to surround yourself with peers that actually care how they do in school.

Also, getting involved in extracurricular activities like Speech and Debate can make your school experience more enjoyable.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Dr. Bruce Wendt, West High School

CELEBRATE YOUR 2011 GRADUATE lass of 2011 Attention all Grads, Moms, Dads and Grandparents

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Example: Graduate you have made us so proud. Good luck with your future, we know you will be a success.

Love, Mom & Dad

GREET A GRAD

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Publishes Sunday, May 29, 2011 Deadline Friday, May 20, 2011

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All Schools Welcome to Participate!

TONY SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

VINCENT ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY

GREGORY MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY

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ZIMMERMAN’S PORTRAIT DESIGN Z

CLARK MARTEN PHOTOGRAPHY

Salute to Valedictorians - Class 2011

Austin Eastman

Brianna Nathan Eaton Fritz High School: Billings Senior High High School: Billings

Ben Gleason on

Kaitlyn Hammond

High School: Billings Senior High School Parents: Rick Eastman and Kerri Tallerico Post high school plans: I plan to attend the University of Utah for mechanical engineering.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Volunteering for Special Olympics.

Advice to underclassmen: I would tell underclassmen to participate in as many activities as they can without spreading themselves too thin. Also, get to know their teachers, study hard and take classes that will spark their interest.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Mr. Patrick Kenney, Senior High School

School Parents: Rod and Sandi Eaton Post high school plans: I have not yet decided where I want to go to college, but I plan to study premedicine next year. My ultimate goal is to continue on to medical school.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Student Council, Track, Cross Country, EMT Ministries, Billings Clinic Student Volunteer, Piano, YoungLife, Youth Leadership Billings, Keyboard player for kid’s worship at Faith Chapel.

Advice to Underclassmen: My advice is to strive to take more challenging classes in order to better prepare for college. I also encourage each student to venture outside their comfort zone by involving themselves in sports, clubs or other activities.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Ms. Dawn Carson, Billing Senior High

High School: Billings West High School Parents: Donald and Linda Gleason Post high school plans: Attend MSU Bozeman and double major in fisheries biology/management and hydrology then work in NW Montana with Bull Trout and cutthroat Trout.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Football, Ecology Club, National Honors Society, Student Mentoring and Intramural Sports.

Advice to underclassmen: It is a lot easier to just do what needs to be done than to do nothing at all.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Mr. John Miller, West High School

High School: Billings Central Catholic High School Parents: Dr. Steve Hammond and Mrs. Bronwyn Hammond Post high school plans: Attend a northwestern college and study biology and environmental studies.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: High School Swim team, Billings Aquatic Club, Speech and Debate team, French Club, Volunteering at St. John’s nursing home, St. Bernard’s Youth Group.

Advice to Underclassmen: Always challenge yourself and take rigorous courses, but try not to overextend yourself. Ask questions, your teachers are there to help you! Be involved, make the most of every class regardless of whether or not you like it, and as my principal always says, participate!

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Dr. Deb Wines, Central High School

West High School Parents: Larry Fritz and Carol Highland-Fritz Post high school plans: I plan to continue my education by pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering.

However, I also plan to keep music in my life. I am planning to attend either the University of Southern California, the Georgia Institute of Technology or MSU Bozeman.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Forensics Club, Pep Band, Amnesty International, Trading Cards, Red Lodge Music Festival and National Honor Society.

Advice to Underclassmen: Take advantage of the plentiful opportunities high school provides. Sure, you will have failures, but I guarantee that you will also have successes. More importantly, the lessons you will learn in the process will be invaluable both in high school and in life.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Mrs. Shawna Goodman

High School: Billings West High School Parents: Melvin and Jeanne Holm Post high school plans: To attend Montana State University Billings to finish my prerequisites. While finishing my prerequisites, I will be studying prephysical therapy. I will then head to the University of Montana to start my three professional years of physical therapy.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Volleyball, basketball, track and field, cross country, trading cards, National Honor Society and French Club.

They have taught me to be a leader as well as a team member.

Advice to Underclassmen: The advice that I would give to under-classmates is to not let the boring part of school get you down. They need to get involved and stay involved with the school and all of its extracurricular activities. This is what has kept me focused on my grades as well as being a good kid in general.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Mr. Lance Edward, West High School

ZIMMERMAN’S PORTRAIT DESIGN

CLARK MARTEN PHOTOGRAPHY

CETRONE STUDIO

Corrie Holm

GREGORY MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Salute to Valedictorians - Class 2011

ZIMMERMAN’S PORTRAIT DESIGN

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Katie Kent

Veronnaka Klamert

Ryan Marcotte te e

Tyler Nansel

High School: Billings Skyview High School Parents: Susan and Edward Kent Post high school plans: I will get a four-year degree in Biomedical Engineering at Montana State University or Washington State University. After that, I plan to go to medical school to become an emergency physician.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Science Bowl, Academic Team, Academic World Quest, Girls State and Softball.

Advice to underclassmen: Give your best; do not settle for second place. Tackle every challenge headon and have the determination to do well. Try many extracurricular activities, and do not be afraid to be creative. Your actions affect you in the future.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Mr. Rafael Zepeda, Skyview High School

High School: Billings West High School Parents: Gene and Ronna Klamert Post high school plans: Pursue a degree in Crop Science at Montana State University in Bozeman.

Advice to Underclassmen: Just keep at it. No matter how hard something may seem to you there is always someone who is willing to help you understand as long as you give them the chance. It is your choice who you will be in the future so work hard to achieve your full potential.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Mr. John Miller, West High School

High School: Billings West High School Parents: Joe and Karen Marcotte Post high school plans: After high school, I plan to study either mechanical, civil, or electrical engineering, but I have not yet decided what university I will attend.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Key Club, Science Club, Math Club, Ecology Club, Varsity Golf, Westwinds, National Honor Society, Freshman Mentoring, Trading Cards, Apagón Patrol Advice to Underclassmen: Find something that you are passionate about whether that is academics, sports or some other activity, and then involve yourself in that cause.

Just like life, high school is much more enjoyable when you surround yourself with people who share your interests in something.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: I’ve had many terrific teachers the last 13 years.

High School: Billings West W t High Hi h School Parents: Jay and Gayle Nansel Post high school plans: After high school, I plan on attending Montana State University for either Civil or Electrical Engineering.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Billings Career Center Engineers Club, Varsity Soccer, Yellowstone County 4-H Ambassador, Hesper Hustlers 4-H Club, Mount Olive Lutheran Church Youth Group, Student Mentor and Trading Cards.

Advice to underclassmen: Stay motivated by being interested, and stay interested by learning! Find something that fascinates you and learn everything there is to know about that topic. Also, relate boring lessons to your life in order to make them more appealing. The more you learn, the more interested you become.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Mr. Dave Tolton, Career Center

Laura Prosinski

Marta Prosinski

High School: Billings West High School Parents: Steve & Shelley Prosinski Post high school plans: Study nursing at Concordia College at Moorhead, Minnesota, and play soccer for the Cobbers.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Playing sports, such as club soccer, varsity high school soccer and basketball, taught me how to manage my time and how to work successfully in a team.

Student Council helped me grow into a leader among my peers.

Advice to underclassmen: Challenge yourself by taking demanding classes, making new friends and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Mr. Curt Prchal, Will James Middle School

High School: Billings West High School Parents: Steve & Shelley Prosinski Post high school plans: I plan to attend Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. I will study nursing and play on the Cobber’s soccer team.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Playing soccer and basketball on high school and traveling teams has made me a better student and person by teaching me about hard work, discipline and commitment.

Advice to underclassmen: High school can be four of the best years of your life if you CHOOSE to experience it to the fullest. Become involved - participate in a club, play a sport, or join a music group. You will develop amazing relationships and discover who you are. Work hard in school - it will not only prepare you for college but also make you proud of your accomplishments.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Mr. Curt Prchal, Will James Middle School

BURTCHAELL PHOTOGRAPHY

CLARK MARTEN PHOTOGRAPHY

GREGORY MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY

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GREGORY MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY

GREGORY MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Salute to Valedictorians - Class 2011

Mahli Ruff

Jeni Sorli

High School: Billings West High School Parents: David and Sara Ruff Post high school plans: I plan on going to an out-of-state university and earning my Masters degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Billings Career Center Engineers Club, National Honor Society, West High Mentoring Program, West High Trading Cards, Youth Leadership Billings, State and District Music Festivals.

Advice to underclassmen: It may seem like these are the most important and life changing years in your life. In reality, high school is just a taste of even greater experiences to come. I encourage you to not get stuck in a routine. Spice it up and take unique classes. You just might find some deeper meaning to that math and science homework. Teachers are there for you. Use them. Work hard, have fun, remember, and share your ideas. Friends come and go and bad grades happen, but if you keep a good attitude (and sing a little tune now and then) anything is possible.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: My engineering teacher Mr. Dave Tolton, Career Center

High School: Billings West High School Parents: Christopher and Christine Sorli Post high school plans: After high school, I plan to attend college to study either engineering or architecture. My goal is to become a leader in one of these fields and to contribute to our country’s energy independence.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Swimming- Club and High School; Harp- Philharmonic Orchestra, Strings of the Heart; Piano; Guitar; National Honors Society; Mentoring; Tutoring; Trading Cards; Volunteering- Nursing Homes with harp, Hospital; Ecology Club; Ranch Hand; Skiing Advice to Underclassmen: An education will be one of the, if not the most, important assets you will gain throughout your life. The beauty of an education is that it becomes what you make of it, whether you actively pursue it or watch it slip away.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Mr. Lance Edwards, West High School

Alex Stacey High School: Billings West High School Parents: Tammy and Calvin Stacey Post high school plans: I will attend the University of San Diego.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Track and Field, Key Club, Ecology Club, PSI and Trading Cards.

Advice to Underclassmen: Strive for your absolute best, but don’t let it deprive you of enjoying the time and company of others.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: I’ve been positively influenced by all my teachers.

congratulations valedictorians!

Find out more about MSU Billings

406-657-2888

| www.msubillings.edu | admissions@msubillings.edu

Alice Stears High School: Billings Senior High School Parents: Dr. Robert and Karen Stears Post high school plans: I plan to attend college out of the state, but I have not yet decided which school I will attend. I hope to pursue a degree in Biological Sciences, and after college I plan on attending graduate school.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: National History Day, Destination Imagination and Flute Private Study.

Advice to underclassmen: Do not be afraid to take risks and try new things. Pushing yourself is the only way to get better and discover the things that you love to do. Also, do not get intimidated by difficult work or what others expect from you. If you really want something, you can make it happen, regardless of other’s expectations.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Ms. Cynthia Webb (UW Lab School, Laramie, WY)

High School: Billings Skyview High School Parents: Jay and Marsha Stott Post high school plans: Attend Brigham Young University Idaho and study engineering as well as serve a mission for my church.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Basketball, Business Professionals of America, Student Council, Trading Cards and National Honor Society.

Advice to underclassmen: Be involved, don’t let opportunities pass you by, have a good attitude and have fun.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Mr. Kas Ioane, Skyview High School

CAROUSEL PORTRAITS

ZIMMERMAN’S PORTRAIT DESIGN Z

ZIMMERMAN’S PORTRAIT DESIGN

Dallin Stott

Jeremy Wicker

Jenna Waterson High School: Billings Skyview High School Parents: Kenneth and Lorraine Waterson Post high school plans: I plan to attend either Washington State University or Montana State University and go into chemical engineering and then on to medical school.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Business Professionals of America Advice to Underclassmen: I would tell under classmates to take honors and/or AP classes.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Mr. Fred Michels, chemistry teacher at Skyview High School

TONY SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY

Salute to Valedictorians - Class 2011

LAURA MACCARTY PHOTOGRAPHER

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High School: Billings Skyview High School Parents: R. Curt Wicker and Connie Wicker Post high school plans: I plan on attending Montana State University in the fall to major in mechanical engineering. Also, I would like to compete in a triathlon sometime in the near future.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Soccer, Band, Church Youth Group, Montana Boy State, National Honor Society and being a Hunter Safety Instructor.

Advice to underclassmen: Do not sit by passively, waiting for high school to go by. Instead, set goals for your life and work toward achieving those goals. Take responsibility for your own education, and spend your time learning about what interests you.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Mr. Fred Michels and Mr. Rod Gottula, Skyview High School

Travis Woodley High School: Billings West High School Parents: Larry and Arleen Woodley Post high school plans: My post high school plan is to attend the University of Washington and study in their Biomedical Engineering program. After that, I plan on either going into med school or receiving my Masters degree.

Extracurricular activities that played an important role in education: Tennis, Engineers Club, Trading Cards, Mentor and American Heart Association.

Advice to Underclassmen: The best advice I have is to find different ways to motivate yourself each and every day. By doing this, you are able to learn much more.

Teacher who made the greatest positive impact: Mr. Dave Green, West High School

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