Hellgate Elementary School Artists at Missoula airport

Missoula International Airport celebrates the launch of two new flights, just in time for summer travel.
One is a new direct flight to Portland, Alaska Air, a daily service, which begins next Sunday and has long been on the wish list of the airport, said Airport Director Cris Jensen.
"We are very pleased to receive them," said Jensen, "and has been our No. 1 priority in terms of water services to a number of years."
The other is a flight of fancy, so to speak, an artistic adventure, performed by young artists and creators of Hellgate Elementary students.
Starting this week and throughout next year, students present their work Hellgate seriously at the airport in West Hall, near the checkpoint security.
Long in planning, in collaboration with the School of Airport has officially unveiled the new gallery with a color screen of 41 masks made by students in eighth art Andrea Burke.
Inspired by her lesson on Italian carnival masks and tribal masks, students have created their own impressive works of art, which are on display until September.
"Children know when the project started to create some masks this year would be selected for presentation at the airport," said Burke. "Everybody was very excited by this idea, and Saturday when we had opening night, some children were the resource persons to tell the truth there may be more art exhibitions in your future. "
Over the seasons, so the exhibits, which include, among others, science projects and mathematics student, said Leslie Wustrack, director of marketing for the airport.
"Our goal is to help elementary Hellgate success in its mission to provide excellence in education", Wustrack said, "and we are delighted to have the opportunity to showcase the work of outstanding students."
Hellgate School Superintendent Doug Reisig is proud to partner with the airport to promote student artists and their creative expressions.
In return, the airport is happy to focus on other and show the talent of the student.
"What an incredible group of talented guys," said Jensen. "I am impressed by the diversity and beauty of what they did." It's really a beautiful addition to the airport. "

tribute to a retired teacher at Hellgate

During the past 36 years, Wayne Seitz Hellgate senior journalists assigned their school student about the importance of the initiative, rigor and a nose for news in their work in the school newspaper, Lance. On Thursday, the latest crop of students gave the powers back to him in bold.

In one of the last class, each time the retired teacher of 66 years, is aimed at students gave new copies of the press-a tribute to 12 pages in tabloid format, its pages filled with photos and memorabilia collected and written by officials Lance recent and less recent.

"So what we have done," he laughed as Hailey Seitz Michelson, chief editor Lance today, gave him a copy of the publication, which was created in secret by the team of Lance and printed by the Missoulian the student.

Set in a tabloid publication has shown a commendable Seitz alum Lance notable hymns, including Missoula Mayor John Engen, who was editor of Lance during the school year 1982-83.

"I can take lessons from me as the new Seitz respect for accuracy and fairness, clarity and say what you mean," wrote Engen. "It's easy to forget that I had to learn what has become second nature."

Although Michelson is still a high school student - until Saturday, anyway - Seitz said his own memories and lessons of Lance on the team will not go away soon.

"This is my house in the Hellgate, and I feel that many people think that this class, told his colleagues agree." You were like a father to me. "

Seitz, who admitted he had "no idea" that students were whipping surprise, took the opportunity to reflect, if only for a moment about the lessons he has learned over the years - one of which might explain how students managed to create a special publication.

"I said, pointing to a poster hanging in his office." If the student is not better than the teacher, the teacher has failed. "... I realized the medium term, most students took me way, document has improved. You can be free to do what he does best, and I'm glad I discovered. "

The idea of ​​the special issue was planned earlier this year between Michelson and former student of Erin Hellgate McEwen, McEwen, after learning of the impending retirement Seitz.

"He always said that none of the parties, but we had to do something," said McEwen, who after years of Lance team later studied music at the University of Montana.

Krista Johnston, a senior member of the team of Lance, "said Seitz served as a kind of model for her as she looks to life after high school.

"I think if I was older, I'd love - not great, crap, take no prisoners," he said. "I learned a lot from him."

"It's an epic look back in time, because he has crossed so many memories was interesting," said junior Hannah Reagan. "There is someone so amazing to go to class and after hearing their stories."

After a few tears flowed, Seitz said the students appreciated the efforts and actions of publication but is always waiting for their retirement life and a new haircut.

"I will grow it smooth," he said, "and buy a big box of crayons. I am willing to work with some color after all these years of working with words."