The 25th Stone Soup Luncheon was a success last week in the auditorium. This is teacher WyAnn Northrop’s 25th year of throwing the special event at Big Sky. At left, math teacher Mike Marcinkowski dishes up. Also in photo, Northrop, teacher Noel Nesmith and students Tyler Schreckendgust and Bella Honzel. Honzel was instrumental in the luncheon’s success, as it was part of her senior project. See Page 3 for more.
the sun journal
PHOTO COURTESY BRANDON HONZEL
Superintendent Rob Watson resigns, replacement sought by Tyler Christensen
for the Sun Journal reprinted with permission
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issoula County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Rob Watson announced last week that he is leaving his position with MCPS effective June 30, 2022. “It is with mixed emotions that I share this decision with you today,” Dr. Watson told District education leaders as he made the announcement. “My time with MCPS, including my former time as a principal, has been some of the most rewarding of my 29 years in public education. I will leave with many
happy memories and proud to have served with each of you.” While he is resigning his formal role in public education, Dr. Watson will maintain his connection to education as the new executive director of the School Administrators of Montana (SAM). The SAM organization has a 50-year history of advocating for public education in Montana. Serving more than 1,000 active members, SAM represents superintendents, principals, special education directors, educational technologists, county superintendents and others. “I am thankful for this opportunity as I will be able to represent public educators across our great state,” Dr. Watson stated.
He continued: “While I have learned many important lessons during this pandemic, my most treasured memory will be how we all worked together to keep our kids learning. I have witnessed an incredible amount of empathy, compassion and grace. I am excited to carry these memories to the various decision-making venues in our state and remind everyone of the power of public education to change the lives of our students.” Dr. Watson expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Superintendent of MCPS for the past three years. He was selected for the position by the Board of Trustees in April 2019. For the seven years prior, he served as the superintendent of Bozeman
Public Schools. He has been a principal at Bozeman High School (2009-2012), and was a middle school and high school principal for Missoula County Public Schools (2001-2009). Dr. Watson has also worked as a school administrator in Great Falls, and began his career as a math and science teacher in Anchorage, Alaska. Dr. Watson has a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Montana State University, a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Alaska, and received his Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Montana
CONTINUED ON P3
Johnson accepts principal position at Willard
Who’s the GOAT now?
by Hollin Keintz
of the Sun Journal
PHOTO COURTESY JENNIFER ZELLMER-CUARESMA
The Big Sky boys’ basketball team celebrates after beating Hellgate High School last Friday night 55-49 securing their spot at the state championships this weekend in Billings. The team lost in the division finals Saturday to Helena Capital, 64-60. As the number two seed from the West, they will take on the number three seed from the East, Bozeman High on Thursday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Boys earn bid to state Defeat crosstown Sentinel & Hellgate at divisionals by Hollin Keintz
of the Sun Journal
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ast weekend, the boys basketball team did something no other Big Sky basketball team has done in almost a decade--beat Hellgate High School and Sentinel High School to punch their tickets to the state champsionships in Billings. Senior Tre Reed said, “Personally, I haven’t beaten a single Hellgate team, jv through varsity, until that night. It was a super emotional time for me, not only because that clinched our place in the state tournament, but also because it was the first time Big Sky has beaten Hellgate in the last nine years.” Senior Jake Gardanier echoed Reed. “It was one of the greatest moments of my life,” Gardanier said. “To beat a team that has not been beaten by us in nine years just felt amazing.” The win was particularly special for Senior Shane Shepherd, who transfered his junior year from Hellgate to Big Sky. “It was an amazing feeling,” Shepherd said. “I have always wanted to prove I made the right choice becoming a Big Sky Eagle, and us taking them
INSIDE
out to make state, there’s no doubt I made the right choice.” The road to state was not an easy one, nor expected. The team had quite a few obstacles to overcome early on, most importantly they needed to believe in their own talent. For the seniors, coming off three years of losing seasons was a struggle in itself. Reed attributes some of the success to the team’s attitude. “I think this year has been different, because everyone on the team has been 100 percent bought in and taking things seriously,” Reed said. “Years before there were always people goofing off, not always staying focused and just not really caring. I feel by us just taking the little things seriously, it is bringPHOTO COURTESY TIFFANY GARDANIER ing us this success.” The team huddles before their first match-up of the tournament against The win is probably most sat- crosstown rival Sentinel High School. In the huddle, the knew if they isfying for the team after not be- “just played their game, they’d be able to beat” SHS, which they did, ing invited for the fourth year in 53-33. Sentinel lost out to Butte the next day, booting them out of the a row to compete in the Golden tournament. Goat game, a battle between Sentinel and Hellgate held at the Ad- zero regard to Big Sky. game means nothing if you can’t ams Center to determine the best “They can have their undeserv- make it to state. The fact that we team in the city. Many news out- ing ‘GOAT’ trophy… we are going took out both teams in divisionals lets even called it the “biggest high for something bigger than that,” just proves we would have won the school game in the Garden City” Gardanier said. touting the two rival schools with Shepherd agreed. “The goat CONTINUED ON P6
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photo by Hollin Keintz
photo by Kaydn Easter
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Clean up your mess
Students are not cleaning up after lunch, making a mess for others to deal with. 4
The Fox on the Fairway The Way Off Broadway CO. rocked the house again with another stellar show. 7
March 11, 2022
photo by Kylie Fisher
Dessert Show 22
Choir takes the stage at their annual delicious dessert show. 7
The administration is shaking things up next year, as we will lose Assistant Principal Cameron Johnson, when he will take over as Interim Principal at Willard Alternative High School in the fall 2022. “We have been so lucky to have Mr. Johnson on the Big Sky team!” BSHS Principal Jennifer Courtney said. “What I appreciate most about him is his calm demeanor even in the most stressful situations. He’s also super smart! So when it comes to things like solving problems or making the master schedule or knowing how to support an IB student he is always on point.” Johnson has worked at Big Sky for the last 10 years, as he started as a history and government teacher in the American Studies Program, which he did for four years before transitioning to the IB Coordinator. This is Johnson’s fourth year as an administrator at Big Sky. Although sad to leave Big Sky, Johnson is proud of the time he has spent here and looking forward to taking on a new leadership position. “I am extremely proud of my time spent as a teacher in the American Studies Program, along with the work that we were able to accomplish with the International Baccalaureate Program and expanding academic opportunities for Big Sky students,” Johnson said. “I am also proud of the systems and supports we have put in place to help our most vulnerable and/or struggling students.” Johnson’s replacement will be Brandon “B.J.” Ihde, who is currently working in Curriculum and Instruction at the district level. Ihde said, “I’m really excited to see familiar student faces from my time at CS Porter and working for the amazing staff and students that are at Big Sky.” Ihde graduated from Hamilton High School in 2000. He holds a BA in Elementary Education and an MA in Educational Leadership both from the University of Montana. “In my career I have been a resource teacher, Head Teacher (think assistant principal but different title), structured program teacher, 6th grade ELA, SS, and HPE teacher, Instructional Coach for Middle and High School, and an Assistant Principal for the MOA,” Ihde said. “Mr. Ihde brings a great deal of excitement!” Courtney said. “I appreciate that Mr. Ihde is eager to learn how we do things here at Big Sky, he will also bring a great deal of school spirit to the school and students, and he has proven he too is not afraid to get involved in stressful situations.” While a fresh, yet familiar face is something to look forward to, Johnson will be missed at BSHS. Johnson said, “I will miss the staff, students, and the work that we have done on a number of initiatives like IB and our academies. I will also miss the teamwork that we have developed, especially with the administrative team and support staff.” Although moving to the new position, Johnson sees himself not settling down for long. “In 10 years I see myself working internationally as a school administrator in Africa or a location where I can access surf breaks in the morning and mountain bike trails in the afternoons,” he said.