Character, Focus, Honor and Strength

Character is compassion:

There are so many reasons to be proud of the students at Columbia Falls High School, but it is when students display compassion and integrity that I am most filled with “Wildcat Pride.” This year I have already received comments from various guest speakers and substitute teachers praising our students on their considerate and polite behavior. Because character is defined in how we treat others, I am thrilled to hear these compliments aimed at our students.

Many students have been displaying their generosity by volunteering their time and talents. Members of the Key Club, along with faculty advisor Kate Daniels, gave up a Saturday to assist the Columbia Falls Kiwanis and Junior High Builders Club in painting the exterior of a local home. Members of two high school organizations — the National Honor Society with advisor Jake Hall and the Cheer Team with coach Marissa Church — volunteered at the recent Glow Run in Columbia Falls. For the last few years, senior Colin Norick has organized students to serve at the Community Kitchen each month. A group of students served at the kitchen on Sept. 30 and will do so again at the end of October. A community service calendar is on display in the main foyer to advertise opportunities for giving. If you would like assistance from Columbia Falls students for an upcoming event or a need, please give me a call at 892-6500.

Focus on your future.

Thanks in part, to a grant from the Glacier National Park Conservancy and the assistance of GNP scientist Richard Menicke, Mr. Houle offers two Field Ecology classes. These classes are intended to combine field based investigation, geospatial technologies-including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and National Park Service mentoring in both science and technology. This past week, Mr. Houle, Mr. Menicke and the students visited five field sites: one avalanche area and four fire-related sites. They collected data quantifying vegetation response to fire, which will be passed along to NASA. Additionally students recorded video clips and photos that hopefully will get integrated into a NASA team project video. More importantly, the kids got started learning how to use field gear that will be integral to the future success of the course. This is a great example of how students are preparing for their future through hands-on experiences.

Honor yourself and others.

The Graduation Matters student leadership team, under the guidance of faculty advisor Betsy Funk, represented Columbia Falls at the MBI Youth Days this October. The Columbia Falls student leadership team co-lead the MBI Youth Days conference to help get other schools involved in positive team building. This group of Columbia Falls students honored themselves and our school as they not only took the lead but demonstrated acceptance, compassion, pride and a strong voice at the conference.

Strength to persevere:

Senior Estevon Torres was asked to headline at Philanthropy Northwest on the University of Montana campus. He was the key speaker for the session focusing on student voice. Organizations at the event included Microsoft, The Gates Foundation, and the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, among others. Estevon not only demonstrated great courage and strength in presenting at such a prestigious event, he, like many of our students, continue to persevere through many life struggles to succeed and excel.

Scott Gaiser is the principal of Columbia Falls High School.