2021 Hometown Heroes by Ravalli Republic

HOMETOWN

HEROES NOVEMBE R ★ 2021

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Sunday, November 7, 2021

Farmers State Bank Salutes our Employees— True Home Town Heroes! All year long, our employees volunteer their time and talents to make all nine of our communities better places to live, work and play. They are Volunteer Firefighters, Team Coaches, National Guard, First Responders, Ski Patrollers, Sunday School Teachers, Board Members, Mentors, Classroom Aides, and so much more.

Thank you!

Farmers State Bank

www.farmersebank.com Member FDIC

Gary Locke always ready to help LAUREN AYALA Hamilton High School

A hometown hero is someone who does good deeds in their community. In my opinion Gary Locke is a real hometown hero. His phone is always on, day and night. He helps out homeless people all over Ravalli County. He helps them get through the day, in hopes that tomorrow will be better. He has helped hundreds of people who have been impacted by domestic and sexual violence. When shelters are full he can and will help people in need and it can not be provided. Ready to help at a moment’s notice. He touches so many people’s hearts in so many different ways. Locke is a founding member of the nonprofit Family Shelter of the Bitterroot. He works closely with the local churches and others to raise

funds, keeping people warm with blankets and hot meals. He worked closely with other kind-hearted neighbors to put together meals and programs that helped thousands. It is said by many that he “planted the seed,” and is a full supporter of all programs. He quite often comes to the shelters and talks with the people there, and prays with them. That is what they need to get some semblance of normality back. Most people in the Bitterroot do not even know half of his outstanding accomplishments. He is on call 24/7 to help all kinds of people in need, regardless of what those needs may be. He probably has the biggest heart in all of Montana, and he has done the most good out of anyone I can think of. Hamilton Police Chief, Ryan Oster said when the Lighthouse homeless shelter kind of came apart a few years ago, Locke did not hesi-

Ravalli Republic, Sunday, November 7, 2021 -

Hometown Heroes 2021 is published by the Ravalli Republic Newspaper Jim Strauss Publisher Perry Backus associate

Photo Provided

Gary Locke’s has been tireless in his effort to help the homeless in Ravalli County as part of the nonprofit Family Shelter of the Bitterroot organization.

editor Kathy Kelleher, Todd Kensley and Joe Weston

tate to help the people who needed it most, and did not let that stop his efforts of helping in other places all over the Bitterroot valley as well. I think that someone like Gary Locke is a true hometown hero.

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Darby Mayor Buck Titus was selected by the Darby High School senior class as Darby’s Hometown Hero for all he does for the community. He’s standing with his wife, Marilyn, who is also pretty awesome. She donates fresh fruits and vegetables from her garden to the Darby Bread Box every year.

Thank you to all the hometown heroes in the Bitterroot Valley. Bitterroot Health would like to recognize and appreciate all the selfless work being done in our community.

Caring for the Bitterroot Valley since 1931. 1200 Westwood Drive, Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 363-2211 • bitterroothealth.org

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Sunday, November 7, 2021

School Resource Officer Randy Eppinger does it all ASPEN FOWLER Hamilton High School

There are plenty of heroes in my hometown that I could choose to write about, but there’s one person that has always stuck out to me. When I heard what our assignment was, this person came to my mind immediately; Officer Randy [Eppinger]. To start us off, Randy has always been a very important asset to our town. He gets along great with everyone, especially the kids. The way we can see him anywhere and start up a conversation with him is pretty special. He’s been there for my brother throughout the years as well as his football coach. My brother loves him and is always telling me how great of a coach he is. When I’m at my brother’s football games, he comes up to me and jokes about how he has a jersey waiting for me and that I could be the quarterback. Even after my brother got hurt at football, Randy was there with him making sure he was okay and checking in on him.= Next, I admire his love for his job and how he’s always prepared so much. He has been an amazing role model for me, and for everyone who knows him. He makes me feel safe in my town, like nothing bad could happen, and if it did, he would be right there. I think Randy deserves way more respect and appreciation than he gets. He’s sacrificing his time to keep our community safe. If that doesn’t sound like it’s something worth thanking him for, then there’s something wrong with

Hometown Hero - Hamilton School District’s School Resource Officer Randy Eppinger.

our community. Lastly, whether he is going through something or not, he’s always there with a smile on his face. When all the fall sports were on their floats, we all saw Randy at the end of the parade, and started shouting his name. It was really fun seeing him. His personality in general is great. He always has a smile on and a great attitude. He

inspires me, and I think there’s a few more students who would agree with that statement as well. Overall, I think that we have the best officer anyone could ever ask for, and he deserves all the love and support. Hamilton Police Chief Ryan Oster said Eppinger deserves the honor of Hometown Hero.

Photo by MICHELLE MCCONNAHA - Ravalli Republic

“He’s a good officer and very well suited to that position in the school,” Oster said. “He really has an ability to work with the kids, the parents and the school staff and juggles all three of those to successfully do his job. He just has a great personality and is a good fit for working in that environment. The City of Hamilton is very lucky to have him.”

Ravalli Republic, Sunday, November 7, 2021 -

EMT Rebecca Parker is daughter’s hero SAMANTHA PARKER Hamilton High School

My hometown hero is my mom, Rebecca Parker. Rebecca Parker is an EMT and ER tech for the hospital. She is currently part time working because she is in nursing school. Rebecca Parker works with a lot of bad and good. She knows how to start IVs and how to deal with blood. Rebecca Parker has been on many bad and good scenes; she even works rodeos and football games. Rebecca does well under stressful situations. She had been working throughout the worst of the Covid. She is in nursing school so she is working part time right now. Rebecca Parker works as an E.R. tech.

The E.R. tech is the nurse’s assistant. Rebecca Parker has started IVs and helped the nurse. She checks on the patients. Rebecca helps the nurse when they’re in a stressful situation. One of her jobs as an E.R. tech is to help with taking Covid-19 tests. Rebecca Parker is also an AEMT. AEMT stands for Advanced Emergency Medical Technician. Rebecca has been working on the ambulance for five years. She works at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital. Rebecca Parker has been on big calls and transfers. Some of her more stressful situations have been on a call in the field for the ambulance. She has had to do a transfer to Billings which has made it so she was on work longer then she was

supposed to. Rebecca Parker has been in car crashes and she even worked the Roaring Lion fire back a few years ago. Rebecca Parker is currently in nursing school so she is only working part time but she is still working. She is working as she is called in. Rebecca Parker is mostly working on clinicals in Missoula. Her clinic lasts from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. currently. ebecca Parker has to get up at 5 a.m. because of how long her clinicals are and the time she has to drive from Hamilton to Missoula. That’s why Rebecca Parker is my hometown hero. She is calm, cool and collected. Rebecca Parker knows what she’s doing. She does all of it and makes time for her family, her three kids and her husband.

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Hometown Hero – EMT Rebecca Parker (in front) with the MDMH Ambulance and a co-worker.

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Sunday, November 7, 2021

Florence John and Vickie Cornish served community in multiple roles SCOTT MARSH Florence-Carlton High School Principal

When the phrase “Hometown Hero” is mentioned, I immediately think of military personnel, police officers, health care workers, school staff, and coaches for children’s sports teams as community members who contribute to making a community great. I would like to take this opportunity to nominate and honor Vickie and John Cornish. Vickie and John Cornish moved to Florence in 1973 not knowing what kind of impact they would have on the community they would call home for the next four decades and counting. After graduating from the University of Montana Western, John and Vickie started teaching at the Florence-Carlton school in 1973 as young twenty-somethings, plus their contributions in the following years make them our “Hometown Heroes.” Let’s start with Vickie, the heart and soul of the Cornish family. Vickie was the first art teacher at Florence-Carlton Schools and she also drove the school bus. Although her tenure as a teacher at FCS didn’t last long, her educational impact on our community will last forever. After her stint teaching art and substitute teaching (11 years), she decided to start her own preschool in 1984 and still operates it today. At the peak of her passion for educating preschool kids, she was operating three classes at a time, about 36 kids. With her children and grandkids

Hometown Heroes – Florence John and Vickie Cornish

being scattered across the country, she has slowed down a bit but still has her preschool running strong to this day. She also has given back to FCS by serving as a school board member for 12 years, 2002-2014. Now to the rock of the Cornish family, John. John taught for 35 years at FCS. He also served as the Athletic Director for 15 years and coached football, basketball, and track during his tenure at FCS. He also drove a school bus and continues to drive school bus trips today. He

was an assistant coach on the school’s only state football championship in 1977, athletic director for the last girls’ basketball championship in 1999, and was the head coach of the state track champions in 1981 where he earned a Coach of the Year award. As busy as he was with the school, he always found time to help his community by serving in so many capacities. John serves as the Park Board president, has served on the Florence Fire Board, and was a past Florence Baseball president, which he started in 1984.

Photo Provided

One bit of John Cornish trivia that many residents may not know is that John served on the Sewer and Water Board which “almost” brought a city sewer and water system into Florence a “few” years ago. John and Vickie are also active members in The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, Lolo Ward. Although I believe this great community of Florence has many “Hometown Heroes,” Vickie and John Cornish are the ones we honor today.hometown hero.

Ravalli Republic, Sunday, November 7, 2021 -

Jessica Randazzo plays big role in people’s lives LAUREN NELSON Hamilton High School

In our town of Hamilton, there is a population of 4,723 people. Out of those people, there are many heroes doing good things every day. One of those heroes that I admire most is Jessica Randazzo. Jessica spends her days talking to people and helping them with their mental health. She plays a major role in many individuals’ lives, giving them a person to

talk to and communicate their struggles. She started her career in therapy as a school counselor at our very own Hamilton High. Later on, she decided to open her own private practice in order to reach more individuals. Not only is Jessica an amazing therapist, she was also the mayor of Hamilton for nearly three years before she resigned in 2009 for personal reasons. Now she is offering mental health consultation for staff at the hospital due to the

stress of Covid. Jessica is also a huge fan of the environment. She loves to go on walks and hikes with her clients and her friends. She has a great appreciation for nature and the outdoors, a quality I admire greatly. I know that whenever I go to town, I can always count on seeing her riding her bike from place to place, always ready to help the next person. Jessica truly is an active member and hero in our community. MICHELLE MCCONNAHA – Ravalli Republic

Hometown Hero - Jessica Randazzo

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Sunday, November 7, 2021

RML Director Marshall Bloom helps kids learn about fishing, conservation TY BALSER

Hamilton High School

To start off, if I thought about it long enough, I could come up with multiple hometown heroes. But really only one person amazes me. His name is Marshall Bloom. He is the head of Rocky Mountain Labs (RML). It all started about five years ago when I was in fourth grade. I decided to try the Bitterroot Buggers program, hosted by Bitterroot Trout Unlimited (BRTU). This program teaches young kids the art of fly fishing and fly tying, two things I love very much. For some of you who may not know, fly tying is the process of making an artificial “fly” to attract fish for fly fishing. Through this program, me, my sister, and my parents met Marshall. We got talking and bonded very well. Marshall has done some great things in this community. He has been part of BRTU for a long time, has been the head of RML, and has also done a lot of volunteer work around here. He has taught many kids about fly tying and fly fishing, including me. I love catching fish, but there is no different feeling of catching a fish on a fly you tied yourself. Marshall taught me conservation and much more about fish habitat. Last summer, I got very attached to fly tying. Marshall asked me and my sister if we could donate four-dozen flies to the annual BRTU auction. We thought this was a great idea.

Hometown Hero - RML Director Marshall Bloom doing one of his favorite things, fishing.

The flies ended up selling for over $100, which we were super proud of. He has helped me with many fly patterns that I’ve nearly mastered by now. We have had him and his wife over for dinner several times. I love talking to him about hiking, fishing, and many other things. I have volunteered at a creek restoration project, tied flies for the state legislatures, and some other things. I probably wouldn’t be doing this stuff without Marshall’s help. We have emailed back and forth for a very long time.

Since I did online schooling last year, it was very nice to talk to someone other than my family. I liked having a friend to talk with when there weren’t many people to talk with. It meant a lot to me to have a friend who is an adult and not my parents to get me into activities like tree planting and restoration. He taught me the values of volunteering and community service, and to be an active member to make this community a better place. It is very cool that he also finds time to volunteer even with a very busy job. He taught me that there is always time to

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make this world better. He educated me on many things about trout and their habitats. This year, in the Bitterroot, many trout were lost to the high heat and low water levels. He encouraged me to pinch down my barbs on my hook so the fish have a higher chance of surviving when you are catching and releasing. Marshall has meant so much to me and my family. Anywhere from fishing, conservation, volunteering, and becoming a person to help make this world a better place for all of us.

Ravalli Republic, Sunday, November 7, 2021 -

Michele Craig’s excitement is infectious CALUM STORM Hamilton High School

I don’t really have a hometown hero, but someone who really does a lot is Mrs. Michele Craig. During study hall she is always working hard to make sure we keep our grades up. I don’t personally ask her for help, because I like to try and do things on my own. I always see her helping a student with something. Whether she is helping them with Spanish or attempting to help them with math, she always tries. This year some of her study hall classes are packed with students, but she’s been working with it. More

towards the beginning of the year she organized people, and had some kids moved to a different study hall to give us a quieter environment to work in. She definitely works really hard, and I’m sure many students are grateful for it. Mrs. Craig is very kind; she always tries to help students when they need it. She tries to help with school work, and if a student has any medical conditions she tries to provide help for those too. I honestly think a lot of us take her for granted. She may just be our study hall teacher but she’s the best teacher I’ve had. People need to appreciate her kind

personality more, she always tries to check in with people to see how they are doing in school and mentally. I feel that the school system would benefit from having more teachers like her who seem to genuinely enjoy their job. Students learn best when their teacher is excited and enthusiastic about what they are teaching. If we lose that we lose the interest from the students. Mrs. Craig is an amazing teacher, and I believe she makes an amazing hometown hero because she works so hard to prepare students for a career and a future, and she is very kind from what I see.

MICHELLE MCCONNAHA – Ravalli Republic

Hometown Hero - Michele Craig

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Sunday, November 7, 2021

Hamilton’s Will Bolotin is great coach and hard worker ANDREW STANDAERT Hamilton High School

On the field and off, Will Bolotin inspires all of us to be the best we can. Whether it is being the head coach of the Hamilton Broncs or working at the fire department, Will is a hero to all. Will is a just-married man who works as a firefighter in Hamilton. He is one of the hardest-working people I know. Will helps out even with the volunteer fire committee for Hamilton. Every Thursday after practice, he always went straight to help with training there. He works so hard he never gets a break. Will is probably up until late every night getting stuff done in relation to his job and also with coaching as well. He is very courageous and is a very hard worker when it comes to firefighting. Where I personally know he most excels at is coaching the hometown’s high school boys soccer team. The soccer season (for me) started all the way back in June when we started open fields. He has helped me get progressively better over the entire season and I am the best I have ever been at soccer because of his awesome training and coaching. I’m not the only person who feels this elaborate way either. All of my teammates also think this way and on senior night all of them were sad to realize that this would be their final night with Will as their coach. Sure sometimes he is a

Hamilton High School Soccer Coach Will Bolotin works with the Broncs.

little strict, but that is only because he cares for us very much and wants us to exceed our very best. He makes a huge difference in our valley for the team and the parents. Will is also a very kind and generous person to talk to and is very down-to-earth and understanding. He understands that life gets in the way sometimes and you cannot make it to practice and he understands if something is going on in your personal

life and if you can’t do something or something well. He is also very easy to talk to and never gets mad at you if something important happens or is going on. For example, one time I had something going on that was very important to me and my family and I had to skip some practice. Instead of ranting on how I was missing, he said it was fine and that I did a good job and was looking forward to having me in practice tomorrow.

Provided photo

All in all, Will is a great coach, a hard worker, and gives it his all so we can have a great town and season. From what I have seen he has impacted our community in more than just one way and will leave an impact on kids’ soccer ability, kids’ mental state and keeping our neighborhoods safe. I personally would just like to thank Coach Will, for all of the hard work he has done!

Ravalli Republic, Sunday, November 7, 2021 -

Denise Burrows works hard to feed people and brighten their day REAGAN BURROWS Hamilton High School

We have a great community here in Hamilton, but I think one of the best heroes is my mom, Denise Burrows. S he works for the Hamilton School District as the Food Service Director, and puts tons of her time into it. She always wakes up early, and works over 10 hours every day. Denise does so much for the kids of Hamilton, even opening up summer feeding to anyone who needs it in the valley. She is always making sure that kids and families get fed.

Denise takes time to get real, good food that fills kids with nutrients and everything they need to get through the day. She not only gets kids their food, but coordinates the servings for events at the school. She often takes hours setting up and preparing food for large amounts of people, working far overtime and going the extra mile in all she does. Denise was born in 1973, and grew up in Utah. She went to school, but decided to teach people catering, and help my dad finish school. They got married in 1994 and moved to the Bitterroot in 2006, a year before I was born. My mom got her cur-

rent job when I started second grade in 2015, learning how to manage people and food along with taking care of a second and fourth grader with my dad. She has always liked cooking and catering, so this seemed like the perfect job. Denise is a vital part of the community, helping families in need, and always putting in the extra work. Covid-19 was a really hard time for food service, and she was working 12 hours a day every day all summer. She lost tons of people’s help, but powered through. She is now working hard every day to feed people and brighten kids’ days.

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MICHELLE MCCONNAHA – Ravalli Republic

Hometown Hero - Denise Burrows

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Sunday, November 7, 2021

Pirate Jim is Victor School students hero VICTOR SCHOOL STUDENTS

what he does.” Victor School students nominated “Pirate Jim has come to every game Pirate Jim as their Hometown Hero, football, volleyball, basketball, and as Jim Munson has supported Victor track as far back as 2001,” Lyman said. Athletics for years. “He has been there to support and Cale Alber said that having Pirate motivate us all the way.” Jim at the home games automatically Lyman said Munson is loved by made the experience so much better. everyone for his endless cheering and “If it was me in the bleachers in midenthusiastic personality. “Pirate Jim has dle school doing the chants he led or been there for middle school and high being in high school having him cheer school inspiring all of us that we can do us on from the sidelines, he always elevated the atmosphere and got everyone anything if we stay focused and work on his feet,” Alber said. “Even though I hard.” Madi Bahr said Pirate Jim has been a know very little about his personal life, big part of the Victor community for a I feel like I have grown close to him through the happy times we have expe- long time. “He has supported the students and rienced together. That’s why Pirate Jim sports teams,” Bahr said. “He always is my Hometown Hero.” REIMAGINE EVERYWHERE. has a smile on his face and always has Rivyr Lyman said, “I believe a hero REIMAGINE EVERYTHING. is someone whose intent is to make this fun at the games. Thank you for all you town a better place, and that’s exactly have done for us.”

BEN ALLAN SMITH-for the Ravalli Republic

Jim “Pirate Jim” Munson cheers for the Victor Pirates during their game against Valley Christian. Munson is a longtime fan of Victor athletics, as his daughter attended and competed in sports for Victor High School. As a show of dedication to the costume, Munson had his ears pierced.

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Educator T.J. Pool goes above and beyond ISABELLA KANENWISHER

to see you succeed. His class is not a walk in the park, he shows you struggle and how your efforts can reflect your What is a hero to you? Superman, grade, but through that trial and error I Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, they all became a better student. sound pretty great, but I think a hero can Mr. Pool also volunteers, taking be much more than your favorite superthe time out of his break, to go on the hero. The definition of a hero is a person Washington D.C. trip along with all the who is admired or idealized for cour8th graders who attend. The 8th grade age, outstanding achievements, or noble DC trip was beyond a “good experiqualities. So yes, Wonder Woman may ence.” I learned a lot, and it was very be your definition of a superhero, but I cool seeing all the things we were learnthink I have a different hero in mind. ing about all year. Mr. Pool kept the To teach is a superpower. To teach is spirits high and made it the best possible to educate your students, yes, but with experience for all the lucky 8th graders. Mr. [T.J.] Pool it seems like so much Hamilton School District has an more. It is one thing to get up and go outstanding staff with arguably the best to work every day, but it takes a lot to Provided photo teachers out there, Mr. Pool is a living dedicate all your efforts and your whole Hometown Hero - Hamilton Educator T.J. Pool with students in Washington, D.C. example of that. All the 8th graders that life to your occupation. Mr. Pool is come through Hamilton Middle School of our country, not only that though, He has a great sense of humor, at not only a history teacher but also the are beyond lucky, and I hope they all through storytelling and imagery he least he thinks he does, the least I can Hamilton High School football coach recognize how special their relationship and he wouldn’t let anything get in the would take all the textbook material and say is he has a good collection of dad give it a new meaning. Mr. Pool would jokes. He also cares about his students. with their teacher is. Lastly I would just way of that. There was not a single time I felt unpre- like to say thank you to a teacher who I would look forward to going to his joke with us, let us interact in the lessons and help us build meaningful dispared in his classroom, he gives you class every day because I knew that he made an impact on my life. A homecussions to better understand the lesson. all the tools to do well, and he wants was about to educate us on the history town hero. Mr. Pool. Hamilton High School

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Sunday, November 7, 2021

SHS student Kellan Beller is Stevensville hometown hero ANGIE ARMOUR Stevensville High School

assistant principal

Kellan Beller, a junior at Stevensville High School, has been selected as Stevensville’s Hometown Hero representative. Kellan was selected because he is an excellent, respectful, and kind student. His GPA currently

sits at a 4.185, and he is ranked 4th out of 100 students in his class academically. Not only is Kellan an excellent student, but he is also a respected athlete in three sports. As a football player and running back, Kellan works hard to be a leader for his team, pushing his teammates to their absolute

best, and ensuring that all feel welcome in their brotherhood. Kellan also participates in basketball as a guard and is involved in several events for track during the springtime. For these reasons, Stevensville High School is proud to present Kellan Beller as our hometown hero.

Provided photo

Hometown Hero – SHS Student Kellan Beller

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Ravalli Republic, Sunday, November 7, 2021 -

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Sunday, November 7, 2021

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