Recognition of Excellence, Dec 2023

(208) 536-0094 Monthly since January 2017 2023

Magic Valley News and surrounding areas

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MagicValleyBA.org

RECOGNITION OF EXCELLENCe In March 2023, The Navy Band played in Concert at Twin Falls College of Southern Idaho (CSI). 10 local students had previously won their competitions to play with the Navy Band.

We were so impressed with the Navy Band and the student musicians we decided to use the April issue centerfold pages in recognition of the students and the band. (this is the last centerfold of this booklet) In May, we recognized Abigail as the artist that won first place in the Idaho Congressional Art Contest. (second to last centerfold of this booklet) The idea of Recognition of Excellence was born. Each month we recognize excellence such as scholarships and achievements, with the most current month first in order.

If you would like to order any centerfold as a poster on 13x19 cardstock for $1.30 each, please call 208-536-0094.

[From the Editor, CJ Holmes]

Dec 2023 Nov 2023 Oct 2023 Sept 2023 Aug 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023

2023 Mayor’s Walking Challenge Winners Magic Valley High School Student Body Presidents JOHN WILLIAM JACKSON PHILANTHROPIC FUND GRANT Idaho Irrigation Equipment Association Scholarships 2023 Art & Soul of the Magic Valley Art Contest Winners 2023 Governor’s Cup Scholarship Winners Anna Aiello, Nick Gonzalez, Sarah Skaar Abigail Armstrong Navy Band & Student Musicians

Back Cover

Hagerman IDEA, Inc & Legacy of Activity since 2003

MAGIC VALLEY NEWS, DBA HAGERMAN IDEA, INC. EIN 71-0898232. DONATIONS & SPONSORS APPRECIATED

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DECEMBER 2023 CENTERFOLD

Idaho communities are receiving a record $85,500 for projects and programs that encourage physical activity, thanks to the efforts of 98 participants who successfully completed the Mayor’s Walking Challenge. The payout and number of winners are the most in the 10-year history of the annual statewide program offered by the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health. The challenge took place in October.

Recognition of Excellence page Sponsore

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NOVEMBER 2023 CENTERFOLD

Honoring our impressive Magic Valle We are so very proud of each of them, t BLISS

BUHL

BURLEY

CANYON RIDGE

CASTLEFORD

Scott (Tre) Barker

Oakley Tennant

Mikah Jones

Krason Homolka

Marilia Cabrito

An excellent student and an athlete, Tre is kind to everyone and is a quiet leader always willing to go the extra mile.

Team captain of varsity football, qualified for state in wrestling every year.

Golfs. Great leader.

Greets students every morning.

On the Drama Team, Business Professionals of America, NHS and Leos Club. Named Distinguished Young Woman of Idaho.

Involved with Magic Valley Leadership group, Varsity Football and Varsity Baseball. 3.8 GPA. In student council for 2 years.

Participates in cross country, varsity basketball, and track. In FFA, shows goats and a cow, VP of NHS. Works in local coffee shop.

JEROME

KIMBERLY

LIGHTHOUSE

MINICO

Mt HARRISON

STUDENT COUNCIL

Troy Larsen

Hudson Fleming

Rowen Crone

Kyah (Ky) Jesse

4.0 GPA, on track to be valedictorian. In student government for 4 years. In NHS & competes in cross-country, wrestling, track & field.

Enjoys playing basketball and skiing.

Very interested in pursuing an Accounting career.

Participates in varsity football and wrestling. Member of NHS, BPA, 4 years on student council.

“Be strong & courageous…” Deut 31.6

Involved in student body for 3 years & being president has been an amazing experience. Has a full-ride to LewisClark State for BSN.

Top L-R: Daniel Ramirez-Hernandez, Kamara Andrew, Nayeli Ruiz, Joseph Thomas, Payton Wayment, Linda Wayment, Hayden Koyle, Landyn Kenner, Isiah Rogers, Santiago GonzalesGomez, Holden Wolfe.

Bottom L-R: Brody Yarnall, Ryan Casey, Ericka Abreago, Nyaleah Castillo, Keyerra Grant

Cassia High School has no student body president.

Recognition of Excellence page Sponsore

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ey High School Student Body Presidents. their accomplishments and their leadership.

FAIRFIELD

FILER

GOODING

HAGERMAN

HANSEN

Trevor Tews

Kynan & Kayle Maloney

Kimball Anhder

Alex Asher

Jesica Gomez

Participates in cross country, basketball, riding horses & hanging out with friends.

Participates in football, track & field, cheerleading. Being President is important because I have a voice and can help improve morale.

Maintains 3.88 GPA, participates in varsity volleyball, basketball, track, student council and National Honor Society.

Participates in football, basketball and track. Member of National Honor Society. Has been member of student council for 6 years.

Both are on speech team, golf team, NHS and FCCLA. Certified lifeguards.

Both In running to be valedictorians!

MURTAUGH

SHOSHONE

TWIN FALLS

VALLEY

WENDELL

Kyzer Jones

Gracie Cheney

Mason Ward

Daniel Juarez

Jaxon Mattix

A dedicated and passionate leader.

Believes everyone is valued and can have a bright future. Fosters a sense of unity.

Participates in basketball, track, Aca Deca. Active in local youth group and great example for younger members.

4.0 GPA and Nat’l Merit Scholarship semifinalist. In BPA & competes in Accounting, Video Production, Financial Math, Analysis.

Participates in football, basketball, shot-put. Advice to younger students: try sports and clubs.

Don’t be scared to try new things.

3 sport Varsity athlete, competing in football, basketball and baseball.

Enjoys hunting and fishing.

NHS: National Honor Society FCCLA: Family, Career & Community Leaders of America BPA: Business Professionals of America FFA: Future Farmers of America

ed by Magic Valley Business Association

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OCTOBER 2023 CENTERFOLD

JOHN WILLIAM JACKSON PHI

The College of Southern Idaho received the John William Jackson Philanthropic Fund Gr funding, five CSI nursing students; Ashley Gordon, Danisha Cruiz, Adrea Palencia, Betha

The registered nursing program accepts up to 60 students each fall and spring semeste Nursing (ASN) degree in just two years. Graduates of this program leave prepared to ge Last year the program had an 81% completion rate with an 87% first-time NCLEX-RN pa

The John William Jackson Fund mission is to advance academic scholarship, performing tablished in memory of John Jackson in 2000 by friends and family, including Marcus an within the Idaho Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

PLEASE LET US KNOW OF AWARDS AND OUTSTANDING

Recognition of Excellence page Sponsore

ILANTHROPIC FUND GRANT

rant for $10,000 to support the Registered Nursing Program in April of 2023. With this an Smith, and Jessica McEwan received $2,000 for the 2023-2024 school ear.

er. Once enrolled, Registered Nursing students can complete an Associate of Science in et their license to enter the workforce in the life- changing field of Registered Nursing. ass rate.

g arts, and outdoor sporting for Idaho youth. The John William Jackson Fund was esnd Pat Meier, and Bill and Jackie Jackson. The John William Jackson Fund is a fund

G ACHIEVEMENTS SO WE CAN RECOGNIZE THEM HERE.

ed by Magic Valley Business Association

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SEPTEMBER 2023 CENTERFOLD

Idah Irrigati

Equip e t Ass ciati

The IIEA has awarded $12,100 in scholarships to 20 students for the 2023-2024 school year, 8 accomplishments, leadership, activities, and career goals. Some students are the children and of IIEA members along with the profits made from the Idaho irrigation Equipment Conventio

PLEASE LET US KNOW OF AWARDS AND OUTSTANDING

Recognition of Excellence page Sponsore

i

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awards $12&100 i Sch arships

8 of which reside in the Magic Valley. These students were selected because of academic d grandchildren of IIEA Members. These scholarships are only possible due to the generosity on & Tradeshow. Since 1980, the IIEA has awarded 862 scholarships totaling $524,100.

$800 scholarship to pursue a degree in Agricultural Systems Management at the University of Idaho. After graduation, Travis plans on pursuing a job in the agricultural industry. However, one day he hopes to return to his family’s farm in Castleford, Idaho. Komet Irrigation Corp. sponsored Travis.

G ACHIEVEMENTS SO WE CAN RECOGNIZE THEM HERE.

ed by Magic Valley Business Association

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AUGUST 2023 CENTERFOLD

2023 @rt & Soul of th

GRAND PRIZE WINNER & $15,000 AWARD

LeAnne Hileman, Glendale AZ Sponsored by WarmArt Tattoo and Body Piercing, LLC

The Magic Valley Arts Council wishes to thank ou unteers, and community for supporting Art & So your contributions is responsible for creating o THANK YOU! The Magic Valley Arts Council awarded over $44,0 the Art & Soul of the Magic Valley Awards Ceremo Falls City Park.

The 13th anniversary of this community-wide arts ap participants in the main contest, representing 36 Idah children registered in the Youth Contest.

Major Supporters of this year’s contest are Times-Ne Magic Valley Mall, Next Level Solutions, Premier Auto Pharmacy, Hilton Garden Inn, Idaho Central Credit Un Arts, Middlekauff Auto Mall, Art Guild of the Magic V Linda Sojka, and Five Fish Press.

3RD PLACE WINNER & $3,000 AWARD

Katheryn Affleck, Paul ID Sponsored by Al and Fran Frost

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h_ M[gi] V[ll_y Winn_rs

2ND PLACE WINNER & $6,000 AWARD

Jeffro Uitto, Tokeland WA Sponsored by Buck and Kim Syth

ur artists, sponsors, venues, voloul of the Magic Valley! Each of our vibrant arts community.

000 in prize money during ony on Friday, July 21 in Twin

ppreciation/art contest had 209 ho cities and 22 states. Nearly 80

ews, Pioneer Federal Credit Union, ogroup, City of Twin Falls, Dick’s nion, Idaho Commission on the Valley, Art & Bonnie Hoag, Bob &

Recognition of Excellence Sponsored by Magic Valley Business Association

4TH PLACE WINNER & $1,500 AWARD

Clinton Lesh, Belgrade MT Sponsored by Loretta Pederson

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JULY 2023 CENTERFOLD

LOCAL STU 2023 GOVERNOR’S C

Eight students from the Mag winners of 2023 Governor’s Graden Devries

Grayden DeVries, Kimberly HS i Kamille Mirkin, Jerome HS is go Madison Myers, Wendell HS is g Franco Ocampo, Carey’s HS is go Elizabeth Tarbet, Burley HS is g

were recipients of Academic Sch newable up to 4 years.

Kamille Mirkin

Brianna Askew, Kimberly HS is g William Praegitzer, Oakley HS is Ethan Randklev, Burley HS is go

were recipients of Career-Techn $3,000 per year for 2-3 yrs depen gram.

PLEASE LET US KNOW OF AWARDS AND OUTSTANDING

Madison Myers

Sponsored by Magic Vall

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UDENTS WIN CUP SCHOLARSHIPS!

gic Valley were among the s Cup Scholarships

is going to College of Idaho oing to University of Idaho going to University of Idaho oing to Idaho State University going to BYU-Idaho

Elizabeth Tarbet

holarships worth $5,000/year re-

going to CSI s going to CSI oing to Idaho State

William Praegitzer

nical Education awards worth nding on the length of the pro-

G ACHIEVEMENTS SO WE CAN RECOGNIZE THEM HERE.

ley Business Association

Ethan Randklev

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JUNE 2023 CENTERFOLD

Xavier student accepted to NASAlinked summer intern program Twin Falls student Anna Grace Aiello will join peers in Idaho and from around the country at this year's STEM Enhancement in Earth Science summer high school intern program.

A student at Xavier Academy, Aiello will work alongside NASA subject matter experts and engage with authentic NASA research data to better understand Earth and space systems.

For Aiello, it was Idaho's brilliant night skies that helped her to realize her passion for space.

"Growing up in Idaho with such ready access to clear night skies showed me how beautiful astronomy is," Aiello said in a press release about the program. "I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to pursue that interest in a meaningful way alongside career astronomers."

The nationally competitive program is sponsored by NASA, the Texas Space Grant Consortium and the University of Texas at Austin Center for Space Research.

The Hagerman Masons have an on-going commitment to education.

Carl Jeffries and Von Edwards, representing Hagerman Masonic Lodge #78, presented Nick Gonzales, Hagerman High School, with the Teacher of the Year Award.

The Award includes a check for $500.00, plus, the Lodge gave the school $1000 to be used for teachers supplies.

PLEASE LET US KNOW OF AWARDS AND OUTSTANDING

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Sarah Henson Skaar of Hagerman was inducted into the Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame on March 17, 2023.

According to her award bio, “Sarah’s entire life has revolved around agriculture, livestock and ranching…”

That began with her farm experiences as a child and includes 4-H participation, university studies, employment and production agriculture partnerships with her father and husband.

While attending Washington State University, Skaar milked cows at the university dairy and conducted oilseed research in WSU’s department of agronomy.

He was a founding member of the WSU Cooperative of University Dairy Students organization.

After earning her master’s degree, Skaar accepted a job with University of Idaho as an Extension agent in Caribou County and was later promoted to associate professor of agriculture. She later transferred to Bonneville County Extension, where she continued working with livestock and youth.

Skaar has been involved in the equine industry and has organized and continues to teach youth horsemanship clinics through-out southern Idaho.

According to her award bio, “Whenever the Skaars owned ranches in Idaho, the sustainability of natural resources has been the cornerstone of their operation.”

Those production strategies focused on improved soil health, water quality, end-use quality and financial returns.

Skaar is also an award-winning ag journalist and author, an inductee into the Eastern Idaho Horseman’s Hall of Fame and was honored as Latah County Cattleman of the Year.

She is now retired and back in Hagerman. In her spare time, she volunteers at the Hagerman Museum, teaches classes and writes family and other histories.

G ACHIEVEMENTS SO WE CAN RECOGNIZE THEM HERE.

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MAY 2023 CENTERFOLD

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RECOGNITION OF EXCELLENCE BUHL HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR WINS IDAHO CONGRESSIONAL ART CONTEST Abigail Armstrong has won FIRST PLACE at the State of Idaho Congressional Art Contest. Armstrong’s watercolor painting of a fox was among 82 other entries from across the state. As part of the prize, her watercolor will hang in DC at the White House for one year.

Brought to you \y th_ M[gi] V[ll_y Busin_ss @sso]i[tion

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APRIL 2023 CENTERFOLD

MASON DUBOIS Buhl High School Trumpet

JAMES PARKE Burley High School Baritone Saxophone

GIGI WEBER Camas School Flute

JAKOB PARA Canyon Ridge Alto Saxoph

RUBY ROMNEY Canyon Ridge High Flute

STEVEN PETERSON Jerome High School Baritone

AVA ATKIN Twin Falls High School Oboe

GARY BRITT Twin Falls High Trumpe

These students have become excellen sicians and successfully competed for honor of playing with the Navy Conce Band during their March 12 concert i Falls.

ANTHONY RAMIREZ Twin Falls High School Baritone Saxophone

TAYSON HECK Xavier Charter School Clarinet

We are so very proud of their hard and achievement in excellenc

Navy Band Concert Sponsored by CSI and the Ti

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COMMANDING OFFICER CAPT. Kenneth Collins Conductor

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THE 20 YEAR LEGACY OF NONPROFIT HAGERMAN I.D.E.A., INC From 2002-2016, a legacy of community service and quality of life efforts for others started with the Pocket Park and RV dump station and included: * The Hagerman high school greenhouse * The original Hagerman City entrance signs * Flower planters for Swensen’s city parking lot * Seven annual Blues Festivals in Billingsley Creek Park * 1000 Springs Scenic Byway signage coordination * City Park original swing and slide equipment * A $60,000 grant for 1400 students to tour fossil beds, national fish hatchery & 1000 springs park

Hagerman I.D.E.A, Inc “Bringing IDEAS to reality.”

OUR MISSION is to preserve the heritage of Magic Valley while serving and supporting its businesses, residents and visitors.

(208) 536-0094 501(c)3 Nonprofit EIN: 71-0893282

Since 2017, our donations and community efforts include: * City Park concrete work ($1,000 match to the grant) * The new City Park swing set and installation * Art sculptures displayed in City Park, * Established annual summer-long Farmers Markets * Held several parades & annual winter festivals * Acquired a mobile stage for performing arts * Published free monthly Magic Valley Newsletters * Hosted several Seniors through the DOL Program. * Hosted tours of the area’s wildlife and agriculture * Established Barn Owl and Mt Bluebird conservation * Established a Community Business Center * Established Hagerman IDEA Endowment Fund * Established the Magic Valley Business Association