16 minute read
Sports
from 10/05/22 issue
PORTER COUNTS PHOTO
Bulldogs bite Vikings in clean sweep, 44-0
PORTER COUNTS PHOTO
by Porter Counts for the Valley Journal
CHARLO — The Mission Bulldogs ran away from the Charlo Vikings Sept. 30, 44-0. A 5-yard rush by Bryce Umphrey kicked off what would be a great night for the ‘dogs. Quarterback Kellen McClure threw a 37-yard pass to Canyon Sargent for the nights second touchdown, ending the first half 16-0. Umphrey scored his second of the night with a stellar 70-yard kick return to start the third quarter. McClure added to his impressive evening with a 13-yard rushing touchdown, followed by a 21-yard pass to Umphrey. Canyon Sargent rounded out the scoring with a 52-yard interception touchdown. The Bulldogs head to Darby next on Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. The Vikings travel to Superior Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.
sports shorts
By Porter Counts for the Valley Journal
Soccer
Polson
POLSON — Polson Pirate boys soccer team downed the Libby Loggers Sept. 27, 4-2. Gabe Gier was assisted by Dylan Warner as the Loggers opened the scoring. The Pirates stormed back with four unanswered goals, with Pietro Durando and Brayden Lukart each scoring twice. Sammi Jocks scored a second for Libby in what turned out to be a consolation goal. The Pirates travel to Whitefish to take on the Bulldogs on Oct. 6th at 3 p.m.
The Polson Lady Pirate soccer team fell to a 3-4 loss to the Bigfork Valkyries. The game and goals went back and forth with the score tied 3-3 at half time. Madyson Luikart opened the scoring for the Pirates, scoring a total of two and assisting Tia Mercer for her goal. The Valkyries scored late on in the 70th minute to snatch the victory. The Lady Pirates next head to Whitefish on Oct. 6 at 5 p.m.
Football
Ronan
BROWNING — The Ronan Chiefs ran away from the Browning Indians Sept. 23, 39-0. Ted Coffman opened the scoring with a 31-yard catch from quarterback Caleb Cheff. Cheff then followed up by recovering a fumble, returning it for another touchdown. An interception by Coffman in the second quarter was returned to lead the Chiefs to a 20-0 first half score. To open scoring in the third, Laurance Lozeau returned 90-yard kick-off all the way for another touchdown. Trenton Burland and Davonne Curley rounded out the scoring with 1-yard and 10-yard runs, respectively. The Chiefs next host Hamilton Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.
Polson
COLUMBIA FALLS — The Polson Pirates boys came from behind with 18 points in the fourth quarter to beat the Wildcats Sept. 30, 32-31. Columbia Falls started the stronger of the two teams, leading the first half score 17-7. Pirates quarterback Jarret Wilson threw for four touchdowns and 257 yards, with two of them coming in the fourth quarter. Receiver Brock Henriksen also had a great night, with 98-yards receiving and catching two touchdowns. Wilson, on a quarterback sneak, rushed for a third touchdown in the fourth quarter to give the Pirates a late win and keep their perfect season going. The Pirates next host Browning on Oct. 14th at 7 p.m.
see page 14
BOB GUNDERSON PHOTO Samantha Rensvold makes a kill against the Browning Lady Indians during a Sept. 24 game.
4 out of THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6 There is no amount of good works, religious traditions, or denominational rituals that can remove your sin debt. Only Jesus Christ, THE only Son of God, can provide pardon for sin, afforded to us on the cross, bringing us into a right relationship with God.
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63228 US Hwy. 93 Ronan, MT
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www.westernmontanaland.com All students grades 2-6 are invited to join the
Mission Valley Children’s Choir
3:40-5 pm every Tuesday, starting Oct. 11 at Faith Lutheran Church - 406 5th Ave SW, Ronan
Refreshments served weekly, participation is FREE
Children will learn different styles of music from directors with several decades of experience and an accompanist
For more information, call Cathy: 406-207-3032.
Zumbathon fundraiser brings in $3,800 for four-legged friends
Story and photos by Summer Goddard Valley Journal
POLSON — Zumba instructors from around the state and dancers heeded the call when local instructor Jeannie Butler organized a Zumbathon fundraiser. The Oct. 1 event held at the Polson Elks Club raised $3,800 for the area’s most needy critters. Butler, who organized the event out of her love and passion for animals, said 100% of the event’s proceeds will be split evenly between the Mission Valley Animal Shelter and Life Savers Animal Rescue.
The Mission Valley Animal Shelter is also hosting a Wags and Whiskers fundraiser later this month.
The event is planned for Friday, Oct. 28 at the Ronan Community Center. Cocktails will be served at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at the animal shelter or Seconds 2-Go in Polson.
A silent auction helped raise money during the Oct. 1 fundraiser. Left: Eight instructors and some 30-35 dancers participted during the four-hour event. Below: paw print earrings were also for sale.
sports shorts
cont’d from page 13
Volleyball
Polson
POLSON — The Polson Lady Pirates continue their strong season with a 3-2 (2225, 25-17, 19-25, 25-8, 15-9) comeback win over the Columbia Falls Lady Wildcats at home on Sept. 29. Lucy Violett and Samantha Rensvold led the team with 12 kills apiece while Hannah Simpson was right behind them with 11 of her own. Avery Starr led the team in both assists and digs with 34 and 16. The Lady Pirates improved to 11-4-3 and host the Ronan Maidens on Oct. 6 at 4:15 p.m.
Golf
Polson & Ronan
HAMILTON — The Class A State Golf Tournament kicked off on Friday Sept. 30th with athletes from Polson and Ronan making the trip. The Lady Pirates team took first place honors, led by Ashley Makis third place finish. All four Lady Pirates finished in the top 20, with Clare Konan taking ninth, Kylee Seifert in 14th and Kila Cannon in 19th. The Pirates likewise had a successful tournament. Carson Hupka took second overall scoring 68 in the first round and 70 in the second, ending the tournament at an impressive two under par. The boys team also did well, taking second behind Laurel. Hunter Emerson tied for seventh place, Espin Fisher tied for 14th, Christian Lund tied 16th and Ellis Torrin tied for 24th to help lead the Pirates to a podium place. Alyssa Pretty on Top took tied for 6th places, leading The Maidens. Hanna Lytton, Mady Evelo and Emma Smith finished out their seasons with 45th, 46th and 50th place finishes respectively. The Chiefs sole male competitor, Colter Cornwell, ended his tournament with a 46th place finish.
Kids soccer touches multiple generations
By Taylor Davison / Valley Journal
ST. IGNATIUS — The Mission Valley Soccer Association is well underway this year with their fourth game coming up this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the St. Ignatius practice field.
Started about 20 years ago, the association includes kids in kindergarten through sixth grade from Ronan, Pablo, St. Ignatius, Charlo, and Arlee. With over 330 kids participating, this marks one of the association’s biggest years yet.
According to Jim Myers, who coaches Ronan players, the program is going through a rebirth of sorts. After missing the 2017 season due to the smoke from fires and the 2020 season due to COVID, the association has been ramping things up in the last couple of years to get kids back involved.
A coach for the last 11 years, Myers has seen the impact soccer has had on the community of the valley spread over multiple generations. “We’re having parents who played in this league, now their kids are playing in it. It’s kind of neat to get to see that,” he commented. “Last Saturday my wife and I were counting, and I think we counted roughly between 5070 fans per game. There’re five fields going, so at any given time there’s 300-500 people there. It’s pretty well attended.”
A recreation league not affiliated with any other, the soccer association doesn’t have a tournament system or ranking at the end of the year. Instead, they hold five round robin games to get kids outside and rely on the support of the community.
“This is my first year. I like it,” stated nine-year-old Emma VanNess of the Ronan Scorpions team.
“It’s cool to see all the families and the kids. It brings everybody together,” added one of Emma’s attendees, Tracy VanNess.
Though not put on by the schools, the forms for kids to sign up are distributed through the school districts. Local sponsors provide the jerseys, and parents and community members step in wherever needed to make the soccer association happen. Eventually, there are hopes to grow the program to offer soccer to more age groups as well.
“I think it’s important that they have sports outside the schools so other kids can join. Out here it’s every kid, they’re on different teams and they build new relationships,” commented Hank Conko-Camel, attending for 11-year-old Spokane Conko-Camel of the Spicy Goldfish team.
“It’s good exercise, and I see she has good comradery with all her teammates. They all do,” said Tracy Burland, also attending for Conko-Camel. “They want to do good and help each other.”
“One of the best things about this county is the parental involvement,” Myers stated. “Soccer has struggled in a lot of areas in America to establish the popularity it has worldwide, but when you see the fans on Saturday morning, the parents and the families and the friends and the kids, you wouldn’t know that … it’s a really positive experience. I can’t be thankful enough for that and I really, above all else, strive to make soccer a safe space for kids. Maintain that positivity and just make it a fun, safe learning environment. That’s the idea, that’s the mission, but that’s also the reward.”
To learn more or to find out how to get involved in future seasons, visit: www.facebook. com/missionvalleysoccer
More photos online at valleyjournal.net
A glance at Polson Schools
News from the Polson School District
POLSON — Polson Schools will be submitting frequent articles to The Valley Journal about things happening in our schools. We believe that our greatest strength lies in the unity of our community. By working together, we can provide a safe learning environment where diverse educational opportunities support an outcome of well-educated, skilled and productive individuals who are ready to participate in and contribute to their communities.
Polson Schools has formed a “School Improvement Committee.” This committee will work to identify, propose, garner input and complete an all-inclusive plan for improved school safety, efficiency, and job training. Great schools make great communities! The Polson School Board of Trustees at the Sept. 12 board meeting adopted this committee’s goals and objectives listed below. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact any of the following committee members or Mike Cutler, Polson Schools Superintendent.
Committee Members: Devon Cox, Chairman, Shauna Rubel, Joanna Browning, John Laimbeer, Becky Dupuis, John Mercer, Mike Cutler, Tom DiGiallonardo, Andy Fors, Kristin Wilson, John Gustafson, Kipp Lewis
Goals and Objectives:
- Make recommendations to the Polson School District #23 School Board regarding:
Improved educational opportunities
Building and Grounds
Safety and Security Vocational and Job Training
Other matters regarding school improvement - Facilitate, gathering, and sharing school improvement information and ideas by:
Identifying and working with interested groups within our community
Communicating with class liaisons
Communicating with parents, staff, taxpayers, community organizations and local, state, and national government officials
Collecting and incorporating community-based input
Fundraising for community activities, notices, forums, etc.
Educational Improvements we are currently working on:
- Cherry Valley
Alignment of new reading curriculum to state standards
Improve consistent student attendance
Increase social and emotional well-being - Linderman
Increase student engagement
Implement Instructional Strategies
Increase entry point for reading interventions
Improve consistent student attendance - Polson Middle school
Improve culture and climate of school
Open PMS earlier for student access
Welcome students in a positive setting
Improve consistent student attendance
Increase student activity eligibility - Polson High School
Improve consistent student attendance (Early Interventions)
Continue to provide increasing incentives for student success
Establish and improve Votech career and workforce training opportunities
Building/campus Improvements we are currently working on:
- Cherry Valley
New safety and security system
Update entry for improved safety and security
Five additional classrooms, four additional small group classrooms, one music room
Update bathrooms and an additional set
Update windows to meet safety standards - Linderman
New safety and security system
Three additional special education classrooms
Two additional regular instruction classrooms
Provide adequate library space
Music room
Update windows to meet safety standards - Polson Middle School
New safety and security system
Upgrade kitchen
Create a common area within the existing building including a retractable wall
Update windows to meet safety standards - Polson High School
New safety and security system
Nine additional classrooms, one additional music room
New Career and Technical Education space
Update science labs
Update windows to meet safety standards
Cost Savings and Affordability Goals: - Reduce and streamline the scope of prior building projects - Insist on Value Engineering for low-cost construction alternatives - Require the project for the four schools be less than $40 million, a 20% reduction from the previously proposed bond project - Work with state, federal and private donors for matching funds to reduce the amount needed from local property taxpayers
Election Date and other School improvements:
Set the school bond election for May 2, 2023, due to the urgent need and the desire to focus the community on school improvement. Recommend that the School Improvement Committee become a permanent committee with rotating membership to maintain community focus on our shared objective to always work toward always improving our schools.
COURTESY PHOTO Polson High School hosted our annual College Fair on Wednesday, 9/28 in partnership with the Montana Post Secondary Educational Opportunities Council (MPSEOC). PHS students, along with students from other area high schools, had the chance to visit with representatives from over 70 different colleges, universities, trade schools, military and career assistance organizations.
SKC shows off faculty art in special display
By Taylor Davison Valley Journal
PABLO — Salish Kootenai College is holding a special art exhibit for the next few weeks showing off artwork made by faculty and staff throughout the institution.
With over 20 participants, the SKC Faculty Art Show saw submissions from not only the fine arts and digital design departments, but also from psychology, forestry, elementary education, Native American studies, and more.
“Post-covid, we haven’t been having very many art shows,” Frank Finley of the Fine Arts Department explained. “I know many people come in and take art classes in the building and everybody has some sort of creative thing they’re doing. So, we just thought we’d showcase the things from all the different people we have … showcase all the work and variety.”
As the first faculty show in around four years, Finley said the response was enthusiastic.
He explained that part of the team that organized the show thought that instead of a stately sort of show, with everything displayed in a line, they wanted this event to display a variety of colors on the wall with a flow to the artwork.
“We took great care to hang it in a way that it’s a collective show … kind of highlights collaboration … not really differentiating between mediums or types of thinking or (between) traditional or contemporary,” said Taylor Clough of the Fine Arts Department. “We wanted to put it all together and fill the wall.”
With a variety of everything from contemporary photographs to traditional baskets, paintings, drawings and even a dress that was entirely hand stitched, the Fine Arts Department said it has nearly anything people can think of.
One contributor, Buck Morigeau, or “Hitswithastick” as he’s known online, contributed two blacklight reactive pieces that are a combination of modern and traditional ideas and materials. An adjunct professor who teaches “Reservation Art,” what he describes as a handson history class in which students get to make the things they’re learning about, explained that he likes the idea of “… taking primitive knowledge and adding modern stuff.”
In the process of creating a short documentary on living and making tools with materials from pre-European contact, his work can be viewed online at: https://nativeartsandtradi.wixsite. com/nativeartsandtrad.
“I’m really glad to see that (SKC is) really moving forward with the Art Department and the Native American Studies Department and just wanted to speak to how proud I am of what they’re doing,” Morigeau said. “Even a faculty art show, I think, shows SKC might want to show off their artists they have teaching. There’s so much talent in the people.”
Held in the Buffalo Gallery of the Three Woodcocks Building, the show is open to the public during open building hours through Nov. 4, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. There will also be an open reception from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 13, with all the contributors invited so the public can get to know them and see their artwork.
“We wanted it to really be alive, something to interact with, and it seems like it worked,” Clough commented. “Something Frank has been saying, which is good too, is we want the students to know who is teaching them … (to see) the things that we create so they feel inspired as well.”
“If you don’t spend a good amount of time looking, you’re going to miss a lot of the things going on. There are real gems in there,” Finley said. “It’s been well received by the faculty and people. We put it up as an announcement at one of the faculty meetings and we had people that were ready to put things in that same day … I’m sure this’ll be something that’s repeated. It really is amazing.”
TAYLOR DAVISON / VALLEY JOURNAL Elder Eva Boyd submitted several woven baskets to the gallery, including one she made when she was 10 years old.
