Ledger Looking Back 25 Years: October 24, 1996

OCTOBER 24, 1996

Hannah Warfield-Ruffatto may not look like your typical football player, but she may wind up kicking, passing and punting at a Denver Broncos football game on November 10. She won the 12-13 year old girls age group at the regional Punt, Pass and Kick competition in Bozeman over the weekend, and is now waiting to see how her score compares with competitors from 12 other regions in the Denver section. The five top regional winners from the 13 regions will advance to the sectional competition in Denver. Those competitors will match up during halftime of the Denver Bronco/Chicago Bears football game.

Ernest, Norman and Cody Tebay and the Tebay Land and Livestock ranch near Whitehall will be among 28 ranches honored at the Montana Farmers Union convention next week in Great Falls. The recognition comes as part of the organization’s Centennial Farm and Ranch Honors Program. The program honors working agricultural properties retained in the same family for 100 years or longer.

“It is an extra-ordinary accomplishment for a farm or ranch to be kept in the same family for 100 years or more,” said George Paul, Montana Farmers Union executive director. “These present-day owners and their forebears faced and overcame economic depressions, drought and other natural disasters, commodity price fluctuations, health problems and other calamities to keep their farms and ranches. It demonstrates a love for the land that is not very well understood by those who aren’t linked to it,” said Paul.

“All Montanans can be proud of these agricultural stalwarts and Farmers Union is delighted to give them the recognition they so richly deserve,” he added.

Trojan Educator of the Week is Tom Wheeler, the Vocational Technology teacher. He has been with the district for 14 years. Mr. Wheeler was nominated by Mrs. Thronson because he is an excellent teacher who has a gift of making education meaningful and fun. He believes Vocational Technology provides an opportunity for many students to be successful and learn needed life-long skills.

Trojan Student of the Week is junior Arica Stratton. She was nominated by Tom Wheeler for her good work in Photo and Wood classes involving her citizenship, attitude and academics. She is the daughter of Frank and LaFay Stratton.

Trojan Athlete of the Week is freshman John Carhuff. John was nominated by Diane Dolan for his hard work all season in cross country, his excellent times and placings at meets, especially for his first year involvement. He is the son of Margaret and Bill Carhuff.