Ledger Looking Back 25 Years: December 6, 1996

Whitehall Stroll Events include: Whitehall stores begin welcoming shoppers and strollers. During the day, various businesses will host open houses and a contest to “Stamp Out Holiday Hassles” will be conducted. Santa will be entertaining children of all ages at the Asten Center. The traditional free hayride will organize at Joan’s A&W, departing to pick up Santa. Also, the community tree lighting ceremony will be held. The WBA urges everyone to join the Whitehall High School Chorus with Christmas songs and the lighting of the town tree. Hayride and strolling will continue after. In the evening, the high school students, under the direction of Larry Brazill, will present “Damn Yankees” at the multi-purpose room of the high school.

Dozens of Whitehall High School students were honored Monday night in the annual awards banquet. Twenty-four students were recognized for combining academic excellence and athletic participation. Academic All State awards from the Montana Coaches Association are given to students who attain at least a 3.5 grade point average during a quarter in which they also earn a varsity letter in a sport.

When Lisa Schmidt first saw the Jefferson Valley around Whitehall, she was excited about the possibilities, she said. After working six or seven years in range management on the Utah west desert (a “real desert” where only 3 to 5 inches of rain fall each year) Schmidt said the Whitehall area looked green and inviting. Schmidt began her job as the new Extension agent for Madison and Jefferson counties November 4. She said she had just completed her Master’s thesis in range management at Logan, Utah, before she was hired to replace Bruce Smith. But before that she was helping ranchers on the desert. Asked how one manages a range with so little rain, Schmidt laughed. “You leave a lot of room for each cow,” she said.

Trojan Educator of the Week is Music/Band Director Bobbie Robertson. She was nominated by Mrs. Thronson because she does an outstanding job. The members of the band, pep band, and jazz band feel very successful and take great pride in being members of each musical group. Robertson has been with the district five years.

Trojan Athlete of the week is Carla Poxleitner. She was nominated by Coach Kieckbusch because she helped the varsity team during the two weeks of tournaments by voluntarily practicing with the team every day. Along with her efforts at practice, Carla helped the coaching staff at the tournaments which promoted her to Junior Assistant Coach. She is the daughter of Jim and Denise Poxleitner.

Trojan Student of the Week is freshman Amber Nydoske. She was nominated by Home Economics teacher Debbie Sorensen because of her character, growth in assertiveness and class skills as well as her willingness to be a part of the solution to problem situations. She is the daughter of Rhonda and Bryan Nydoske.