Articles written by Hattie Batchelder


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  • Seeley Council discusses bridge projects, micro grants

    Hattie Batchelder, of the Pathfinder|Jan 25, 2024

    The January community Council Meeting provided updates for the Seeley Lake bridge projects. Shane Stack, the Missoula County Public works director, said he feels confidence in various grant applications, letters of support from local people and organizations are still being welcomed to build a better application for grant money to construct the bridges in need. All letters are needed back by Feb. 9, in order to submit an application for a grant from RAIN (Rebuilding America’s Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) which is due on F...

  • Angel Tree here to help

    Hattie Batchelder, of the Pathfinder|Dec 7, 2023

    The Seeley Lake Fire Department foundation is following tradition this year, as members put up their annual Holiday Angel tree. The Angel Tree, located at the Seeley Lake Fire Department, was started five years ago as a way to make Christmas magical for members of the community who need help with buying presents. . Parents who want to add an angel to the tree can go to the Fire Department and submit a form for their children to get a gift. They can submit information about their child to make th...

  • Seeley Lake CC hears nitrate concerns, Refuse District improvements

    Hattie Batchelder, of the Pathfinder|Nov 23, 2023

    The Seeley Lake Community Council heard concerns from Missoula County about area septic systems, Seeley Lake Transfer Site improvements, and recycling program updates — welcoming many guest speakers in its monthly meeting on Nov. 13. Jeanna Miller, the Missoula county environmental health manager, raised concern of hazardous minerals in Seeley’s ground water. Miller gave a review of the nitrate contamination in Seeley Lake, how it works with septic systems and next steps the Missoula County Health Department can take to fix the issue at han...

  • New teachers welcomed

    Hattie Batchelder, of the Pathfinder|Oct 19, 2023

    Seeley Lake, Condon and Ovando schools welcome several new educators for the 2023-2024 school year. Seeley Lake Elementary had two new teachers join its staff: third-grade teacher Ali Williams and first-grade teacher Janet Kiely. Swan Valley Elementary welcomed Angela Mock as its new principal. Seeley Swan High School has recruited two new teachers as well: Warren Bunde and Lori Skyrud. Former SLE science and math teacher Patti Bartlett joined the Ovando School staff. Angela Mock is a 17-year...

  • Two Seeley grads now classmates at West Point

    Hattie Batchelder, of the Pathfinder|Sep 28, 2023

    Sam Weisenburger graduated Seeley-Swan High School in 2020 at the top of his class. Three years later, he is in his final year at West Point Military Academy in New York. Weisenburger was not expecting to be joined three years later by his friend, Owen Hoag, who was a freshman when he was a senior. With Hoag graduating from high school in 2023, he is now starting off his first year at West Point, meaning two Seeley Swan High grads are two of roughly 4,300 students at the college. West Point is...

  • New, Improved Folf Signs for Updated Course

    Hattie Batchelder, Of the Pathfinder|Jun 22, 2023

    During the 2020-2021 school year, Seeley-Swan High School students and teachers began the process of improving the Frisbee-golf -referred to by players as "folf"- course behind the school. The Blackhawk Disc Golf Course, created and maintained by the SSHS Student Council, offers 18 challenging holes that wind through towering larch and ponderosa pine. The course is lengthy and may be confusing to navigate for out-of-town visitors or people who don't regularly play Frisbee-golf. So SSHS teachers...

  • Democracy project leads to new school sign

    Hattie Batchelder|Jun 15, 2023

    Over the past several years Trace Stone, the U.S. government teacher at Seeley-Swan High School (SSHS), has been looking at the school sign every morning and thinking of ways to improve it. This year he was able to finally create and install a new one with the help of students and members of the community. "I hope this adds charm to our school and inspires students to undertake further projects that will enhance the school and community." Stone said. A group of seniors taking the U.S....

  • Senior field trip day to the capital

    Hattie Batchelder|Jun 1, 2023

  • Seeley-Swan High School BPA places at national finals

    Hattie Batchelder|May 11, 2023

    Students from Seeley-Swan High School competed in the Business Professionals of America National Leadership Conference. On Wednesday, April 25, Seeley-Swan High School (SSHS) students Tru Good, Cora Stone, Hattie Batchelder, and their advisor Michele Holmes traveled to Anaheim, California where they competed in the Business Professionals of America (BPA) National Leadership Conference. Out of hundreds of different competitions offered for BPA members, the three girls from Seeley Lake chose to...

  • Another Destinations for Education Trip for the books

    Hattie Batchelder|Apr 27, 2023

    On Thursday, March 30th, students and chaperones set off for the airport to begin their adventure to Costa Rica as part of the seventh annual Destinations for Education cohort from Seeley-Swan High School. Students Kyla Conley, Cora Stone, Klayton Kovatch, Ben Haley, Conner Chadwick, Hattie Batchelder, Wesley Stevenson, and James Hayhurst, along with their two chaperones, Bridget Laird and Trace Stone, who are both teachers at the school traveled from Montana ready for whatever Costa Rica had...

  • Seeley-Swan High School senior Owen Hoag prepares for West Point

    Hattie Batchelder|Mar 16, 2023

    In December of 2022, Seeley-Swan High School senior Owen Hoag was nominated for The U.S. Military Academy at West Point by Senator Jon Tester. Tester nominated Hoag based on his academic achievements, participation in extracurricular activities, and dedication to future service in the United States Military. The nomination was one of the first steps of many for Hoag to apply to West Point. Since then, Hoag has been appointed to the academy and looks forward to what lies ahead. Hoag says...

  • Runners soak up the sun at annual Snow Joke Half Marathon

    Hattie Batchelder|Mar 8, 2023

    Runners from all over Montana, and even several from out-of-state, joined together on Saturday, Feb. 25 for the 44th annual Snow Joke Half Marathon. The Snow Joke is hosted in late February every year and is one of Montana's oldest footraces. The first official Snow Joke was hosted on February 23, 1980, with a total of 33 races. The race grew popular over the years, with 328 runners participating in this year's race. Temperatures reached the mid 30's on Saturday with blue, sunny skies projected...

  • Senior Night celebrated at Seeley-Swan High School

    Hattie Batchelder|Feb 16, 2023

    Graduating seniors played their last home basketball game against Charlo. The seniors were recognized with their families and friends, before playing in their game. The game was a perfect ending for their home court, with both the boys' and girls' teams taking the win, as well as both JV teams. The teams played their last regular game, including JV teams, against Thompson Falls on Saturday, and will go on to District tournaments on Thursday in Hamilton. First row, from left: Ben Haley Ben was...

  • Students make plans for Costa Rica

    Hattie Batchelder|Feb 16, 2023

    Fourteen years ago, in Trace Stone’s Spanish class, an idea was formed that would bring opportunities to Seeley-Swan High School (SSHS) students for years to come. This idea became Destinations for Education (D4E) an international travel group for SSHS students that provides the opportunity to become immersed in foreign cultures, languages, and community service. In 2009, Trace Stone took students on the first D4E international trip to Ecuador, where students participated in homestays with local families. Since then, Stone has taken students t...

  • SSHS Destinations for Education prepares for Costa Rica

    Hattie Batchelder, SSHS Student Journalist|Feb 9, 2023

    Twelve years ago, in Trace Stone’s Spanish class, an idea was formed that would bring opportunities to Seeley-Swan High School (SSHS) students for years to come. This idea became Destinations for Education (D4E), an international travel group for SSHS students. It provides the opportunity to become immersed in foreign cultures, languages, and community service. In 2009, Trace Stone took students on the first D4E international trip to Ecuador, where students participated in homestays with local families. Since then, Stone has taken students t...

  • Seeley-Swan BPA students head to State

    Hattie Batchelder, SSHS Student Journalist|Feb 2, 2023

    On Tuesday, January 10, Business Professionals of America Students attended their second in-person regional competition held at the Missoula College of Technology. Students chose single or team events to compete in and have been preparing to compete since the start of school in September. Some members competed against other schools in taking tests aiming for the highest score, while others teamed up for group projects they presented to judges. The students were able to compete in multiple...

  • Strong start for Seeley Lake Nordic ski racers

    Hattie Batchelder|Jan 26, 2023

    On Saturday, Jan. 7, Seeley Lake Nordic skiers participated in their first race of the season - The Glacier Glide in Whitefish, Montana. After only one week of practice, the racers dove in, with two of them skiing a 3k pursuit (3 kilometers of classic style followed by 3 kilometers of skate style skiing), and two racing a 3k skate. Kieu Snow (11) and Kimber Hanson (11) both skied a 3k pursuit, while Land Neudecker (11) and his sister Loryn (10) Nuedecker both raced the 3K skate. All Seeley...

  • Blackhawks strike again

    Hattie Batchelder, SSHS Student Journalist|Jan 5, 2023

    VICTOR - The Lady Blackhawks took the win over the Victor Pirates at their third away game on Dec.17. The girls took the lead right away, only giving Victor 10 points to their 49 in the first half, and leaving them with zero points in the second half, finishing the game with a score of 65 to 10. Senior Emily Maughan made the most points in the game, totaling out 22, with Dani Sexton hitting double digits as well with 12 points. “The girls had a solid weekend. Much better on our assist turnover ratio from our younger players and excellent feedba...

  • Students show entrepreneurial spirit during 'Blackhawk Biz' event

    Hattie Batchelder, SSHS Student Journalist|Dec 22, 2022

    SEELEY LAKE - During the "Blackhawk Biz" Market Day, students were able to sell the products they have been working on throughout the semester. Our story on the event ran in last week's Pathfinder edition (https://www.seeleylake.com/story/2022/12/15/news/sshs-entrepreneurs-showcase-products-at-blackhawk-biz-market-day/9088.html). Student journalist and photographer Hattie Batchelder took a range of photos of her classmates during the Dec. 10 market....

  • SSHS Entrepreneurs Showcase Products at "Blackhawk BIZ" Market Day

    Hattie Batchelder, Pathfinder|Dec 15, 2022

    By Hattie Batchelder From juniper charcuterie boards to scented soy candles, Seeley-Swan High School students have been working hard since the first day of school to build their own independent businesses. The semester-long entrepreneurship class, taught by Michele Holmes, is a chance for students to learn their way around the world of business. During the "Blackhawk Biz" Market Day, students were able to sell the products they have been working on throughout the semester. The students were...