Ledger Looking Back 25 Years: 1/28/1998

JANUARY 28, 1998

Whitehall school student academic test scores were higher than the Montana average and substantially higher than the national average. Test scores released from the Montana Office of Public Instruction showed Whitehall students consistently performed better than other U.S. and Montana students in reading, language arts, math, science and social studies. The test scores were mandated by the law passed by the 1997 Montana State Legislature. The law required the Office of Public Instruction to gather state-wide information on test scores and make the information available to the public.

The Whitehall Scrip program received a golden boost when employees at Golden Sunlight Mine voted to earmark their mine safety incentive money for the Scrip program. The Scrip program, established in Whitehall during the fall of 1997, was the major fundraising program for the Whitehall Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) and the Whitehall school students. When Scrip was spent in area stores, a percentage was returned to the PTSA for school students. Thus far, the program had generated about $1,250 (after all expenses) for students.

The Whitetail Road construction project - slated to begin in summer - was on track and right-of-way negotiations with landowners scheduled to start in February. Whitetail Road, which runs north from Whitehall to Boulder, was a notoriously rough gravel road. The section between Whitehall and the Keogh Ranch was especially difficult to maintain, extremely rough, in places unsafe and tough on vehicles. A $3.5 million project, which included two miles of paving and 8 miles of road upgrading, was in the county budget and MDT budget for 1998.

Twenty Montana families were one step closer to the American Dream of home ownership as a result of a precedent-setting partnership between the Montana Department of Commerce’s Board of Housing and Habitat for Humanity. The Board of Housing committed $750,000 to the program. Jefferson Valley Habitat for Humanity was active in the Whitehall area beginning in 1995. They had built two homes and remodeled one, which was sold to raise funds for Habitat.

Elaine Henningsen, who served as the volunteer chairperson for the Whitehall Swimming Pool Committee since 1990, stepped down. The Whitehall Community Swimming Pool, located just east of the elementary school, was managed by a group of five residents who worked in cooperation with the Whitehall Mayor and Whitehall Town Council.

WHS Student of the Week was Dani Edsall. Dani was nominated by Teresa Connelly for her great work in Family and Consumer Science class and her “willingness to help out in class where and when it’s needed.” Dani is a junior and the daughter of Cliff and Nancy Edsall. Dani enjoys sewing, crafts and working with kids and has plans to attend Western Montana College.

WHS Athletes of the Week were volleyball players Kim Franich and Cortney Smith. Coach Mabbott nominated Kim for her “outstanding defense” and Cortney for her “improved play.” Kim, a junior, is the daughter of Mike and Michele Franich and enjoys sports and rafting. Cortney, a sophomore, is the daughter of Rich and Pam Smith and enjoys sports and hiking. Both girls have plans to attend college after graduation.

Whitehall Volunteer of the Month was Renea Cassidy. Renea was a driving force behind the Whitehall PTSA Scrip program. Renea brought the idea of the Scrip program to the PTSA, and volunteered roughly 40 hours per week setting up, managing and implementing the program. The Scrip program helped Whitehall school children and area businesses.