I was assigned to head up the Beacon’s inaugural “Back to School” special, which came out on the stands today and is also on our Web site. Aside from divvying out stories and writing a couple as well, I had the privilege of reminiscing about my school days in the introduction. By forcing myself to recall my own emotions regarding the end of summer and beginning of school, I find myself better able to appreciate the significance of this week: the beginning of school in the Flathead.
This year looks to be challenging for local school districts. There are fewer dollars than usual, and it’s not as if schools are ever operating with a huge financial cushion. School economics are a concern for everybody from school officials to parents to taxpayers to, of course, the students. I’m sure schools will figure out ways to maintain their usual day-to-day operations without significant cutbacks this year, but it will be interesting to see what happens in the coming years. As with everybody, school officials are carefully eyeing the ebbs and flows of the nation’s volatile economic situation.
When I did interviews for the story about Glacier High’s first senior class, one trend I found particularly interesting was how proud the students are of Larry Iverson III, the Class AA returning state champion golfer and Glacier’s first-ever state champion of any kind. Golf doesn’t usually stir up such a clamor in high school circles, but at Glacier, in the midst of efforts to create its own identity and sense of pride, Iverson is a significant symbol – he and others are helping to put the school on the map.
Iverson has wasted no time in picking up where he left off last year. On Aug. 25 and 26, Iverson shot a 69 and 72, respectively, to wrap up the Great Falls Invitational individual title. His performance helped guide the Wolfpack to the team title as well. Anybody who follows golf knows a two-round total of 141 is impressive, especially in the less-than-ideal weather of impending autumn. Kudos to Iverson and I look forward to his senior year.
Already, the 2008-2009 year appears to be off to a good start.