Ledger Looking Back 25 Years: 2/25/1998

FEBRUARY 25, 1998

Sheldon Ross, an eighth grader at the Whitehall Middle School, won the regional Mathcounts competition, held in Butte on February 17th. Ross, son of Terry and Kathy Ross, is the first Whitehall student to win the regional contest. Two additional Whitehall students placed at the regional competition - Neal Bell, placing seventh, and Nathan Chadwick, placing eighth.

An informal coalition of Whitehall residents called the Whitehall Healthy Community Action Team spearheaded an effort to create more activities for youth and families in Whitehall. The group had three priority goals: promote activities for children/youth/families; be intentional about including those children/youth not otherwise involved in community/school activities; and coordinate community activities, projects, and services to prevent duplication and keep the community informed.

Cooperation between the Jefferson County Weed District and the Whitehall school system produced a fusion of cutting-edge biological control and computer technology in the fight against noxious weeds. Whitehall used two technologies in the war against weeds: biocontrol through insects and information generated through computer technology. Whitehall was the only high school in the state with an insectary, according to science teacher and project advisor Todd Breitenfeldt. There were only three insectaries in existence in Montana and the other two (in Bozeman and Corvallis) were operated by government agencies.

Whitehall Student of the Week was freshman Nicole Janacaro. Nicole was nominated by Carole Cogdill for the exceptional job she did in English and math. Nicole is the daughter of Mark and Rhonda Janacaro. She planned on attending college and enjoyed playing basketball.

Whitehall Athlete of the Week was WHS basketball player Ryan Patrick. Ryan was nominated by Coach Kreis for his 21 points and 14 rebounds against Jefferson High School in Boulder on February 19th. Ryan was a junior and the son of Glenn and Carol Patrick. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and playing sports and planned on attending college.

Whitehall Volunteer of the Month was Shirley Folkwein. Shirley was no stranger to volunteering - she was involved in countless church volunteer activities. Shirley also helped found Witness for Peace and Civility and the new Whitehall Healthy Community Action Team, which was geared at finding healthy activities for youth and families to do.