St. Regis school plans 100 year celebration
Summer Crosby
Perhaps for some it’s too early to be thinking about July 4th fireworks, but not for those planning the centennial celebration for St. Regis schools. On November 10th, Patrick Low, the school’s superintendant, Shelly Dunlap, the board chair, Judy Stang and Gloria Hermas, an educator at the school, gathered together at their third meeting to discuss what had been taken care of and what was still in the works.
The celebration is planned to take place on the 2nd, 3rd and fourth of July of next year. The committee is psyched about the event, but still pressed to get things moving along. One of the main topics of the night’s meeting was getting the save the date card printed and mailed out to alumni of the school, as well as past teachers, staff and friends. Another big feat includes gathering current addresses to which the cards will be mailed.
Dunlap said she is asking that individuals in St. Regis and surrounding communities contact Tina Hill by calling 406-649-2311 or through email stregisalummi@yahoo.com to provide any addresses of individuals who went to St. Regis School or have connection to the school and would like to come.
Aside from this, the events of the weekend have been tentatively laid out. Guests are welcome to arrive that Thursday if they wish and pick up packet materials as well as register. Otherwise, there will also be time on Friday morning. Then Friday afternoon, there may be a golf tournament followed by a welcome event later in the evening. At the event, Dunlap said there are tentative plans for a barbeque. There will also be music and entertainment on Friday evening, as well as an opportunity to listen to speakers who have either graduated from the school or worked in its facilities.
Come Saturday, there will be several different activities for individuals to choose from. These range from a softball team competition, a group float trip down Alberton Gorge, a group bike ride on the Hiawatha trail and a possible fishing contest. During the evening on Saturday, smaller groups of each class year will meet at a local home, business or community center, sponsored by alumni, to reflect and catch up.
Finally on Sunday, the parade will take place with a band of alumni joining together. Elementary school students will march while singing the school song and class floats will be adorned. Following the parade, the committee is thinking that school tours will be given and a picnic lunch on the grounds as well. A time capsule will be placed in the ground on the football field underneath the American flag. Attendees are then welcome to enjoy the regular 4th of July celebration events with their families.
Patrick Low said that they “joke periodically that they won’t be around for the 200 years celebration” and so the upcoming celebration should be amazing.
St. Regis School, which was chartered in the 1900s, educates grades K-12, and about 164 kids are enrolled.
“It’s a safe and secure atmosphere for a lot of kids,” said Gloria Hermas. “We don’t seem to have a lot of bullying that other schools have and kids have come here from that environment and done very well. The facilities are wonderful with large classrooms and up-to-date computer technology. Plus, the staff is amazing and well educated and just does a great job with the students.”
The group is planning to meet again in January and pin down the budget, registration fees and what it’ll cost all together. They are also planning to get materials sent out following the save the date cards after the meeting in January with a solid itinerary.
For more information on the event, individuals are encouraged to visit the school’s webpage at stregisschool.org or contact Shelly Dunlap at 406-240-2540 or by emailing her at mtmaggie@aol.com.