Seeley-Swan High School Class of 2020

The Seeley-Swan High School Class of 2020 will be having an invite-only graduation at 1 p.m., Sunday, May 31. This will be live streamed online from the school's website (https://www.mcpsmt.org/seeleyswan) and on the "Seeley-Swan High School Activities" Facebook Page. The community is invited to a drive-through celebration in the SSHS parking lot at 1:45 p.m. The graduates will be spaced out. The community is asked to remain in their cars to ensure social distancing.

Thank you to the parents, students and SSHS staff for submitting these biographies for the seniors. Thank you to the businesses below for their sponsorship of our graduates!

Valedictorian Samuel Richard Weisenburger is a life-long Seeley Lake resident who eagerly started preschool at Seeley Lake Elementary at age three. He has always enjoyed school and strived to challenge himself with numerous advanced courses, graduating with a GPA of 4.0. Along with academics, Sam has participated in Leos Club and student government, being an effective member in activities and holding executive offices in both groups. He attended Montana American Legion Boys State and was selected to represent Montana at Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. Sam greatly enjoyed the extensive government experience of this program and treasures the nationwide friendships he made. Sam is a competitive rifle shooter with Hellgate Civilians Shooting Association. He began competing in fourth grade and has been honored to participate in numerous national level competitions with the ultimate being three qualifying years to the National Junior Olympics. Sam has been recruited to compete with his college team, the West Point Black Knights. Growing up in Seeley Lake has molded Sam's hobby choices. He embraces each season with his love of hunting, snowboarding, snowmobiling, camping and wakeboarding. Sam also plays guitar. In June, Sam will report to the United States Military Academy at West Point. He will spend his summer training and begin academic classes in the fall, studying engineering.

Salutatorian Ella Marie Batchelder is eternally grateful to all the teachers, staff and community members who have supported her over the years in the Seeley Lake and Ovando schools. She is especially thankful for the support from her family. Ella graduates with a 4.0 grade point average. She is a National Honor Society scholar and has received numerous academic awards throughout high school. She competed on the Nordic Ski Team, participated in Leos Club, served on the student government and immersed herself in foreign cultures through her involvement with Destinations for Education as well as independent travel to Europe and Central America. In addition to academics and extra-curricular school activities, Ella loves reading, snowboarding, backpacking and exploring the outdoors with her dog, her friends and her family. She has worked as an Outdoor Adventure Club leader with the Seeley Lake Elementary 21CCLC Outdoor Program for three summers and has volunteered to help coach the SLE Junior Ski Team. Ella was accepted to several colleges from Los Angles to Seattle to Missoula. She has narrowed her choices to the University of Montana Honors College where she was awarded the Presidential Leadership Scholarship and Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon where she also received a Presidential Scholarship. Ella welcomes the future with confidence, resilience, an insatiable curiosity about the world, and empathy for global citizens who deserve dignity and hope.

Dakota Jon Wood has attended school in Seeley Lake since preschool. At Seeley Lake Elementary, he participated in football, basketball and track. He helped set a school record in the 4x400m relay. He was also on the Seeley Lake Nordic ski team where he raced in cross country ski races. He enjoyed skiing and racing in the West Yellowstone Rendezvous. He made podium on a few occasions, but most of all hanging out in the pool at the condo with his friends! At Seeley Swan, he played football and basketball for four years and ran track for three. In his senior year of football, he was selected for All conference as DB, WR & Special Teams, All-state Special Teams, Blackhawks Special Teams MVP and was the 2019 Team Captain. He was also selected to receive the 2019 Burlsworth National Character Award. He was featured on MTN Sports for play of the week and also was voted for Athlete of the Week in the Missoulian. In basketball his senior year, he was a co-captain & selected as all-conference as well as earning academic all-state. Track was his most successful sport of all. He was an alternate for the State Champion 4x400 relay team his freshman year. He and his 4x400 relay team were invited to the Best of the West Top 10 track meet. His sophomore year he and his relay team broke the school record in the 4x100 & 4x400 relays, which were set in 2000. His junior year, his relay team again broke their own record & were top 10 4x400 relay champions. He qualified for state in all five of his events and made the podium in four of them. His 4x400 relay team were three-time state champs and he was really looking forward to making it four with two new teammates this year. His parents would like to thank his coaching staff, teammates and friends for all the support over the years. They are so proud of him for being the amazing leader and person he has become. He is an incredible role model to kids and adults alike, especially to his four younger siblings. When not in sports, Dakota enjoys fishing, hunting, hiking and just being in the outdoors with his friends (& sometimes family!) He plans to attend Missoula College for diesel mechanics.

Addie Lyn Anderson graduated for SSHS in early January 2020. In February she attended Soma Yoga Institute teacher training in Costa Rica where she received her certification to be a yoga instructor. She is currently teaching yoga classes and furthering her hours with Soma Yoga Institute. Addie plans on taking online college courses this summer and attending University of Montana Western in the fall for health and physical education.

Avery Finn Smith is known for his positive "can do" attitude that follows him wherever he goes. There is always a new adventure around every corner when Avery is concerned. He wants to take this opportunity to look back and thank everyone that has helped him become who he is today. That includes family, friends and most importantly his Seeley/Condon family. He wouldn't be the amazing man he is today without the guidance and support of those around him. Avery will continue his education this fall at Montana State University-Northern where he is taking classes in both welding and pipefitting.

Amber Lynn Springer is the daughter of Jay Springer and Dana Matoon. Amber has always been a wonderful student at Seeley-Swan. She has worked at Cory's for the last few years all the while coming to school every day and making an impact on her teachers and students at school with her own unique style and creativity. Amber plans to work at Cory's Valley Market through the summer and into fall. She would like to thank her family, friends and her teachers for everything they have done for her.

Blake Michael Lindemer was born and raised in Seeley Lake, a fifth generation Montanan. Blake enjoyed his years at Seeley Lake Elementary and Seeley-Swan High School. He participated in basketball and track at SLE. As a freshman, Blake managed football and participated in yearbook. As a junior, he became a member of the Leo Club and the National Honor Society. He was also nominated for the Father Jim Hogan Search for Peace award for his journalism piece on single-use plastics. This year he was voted for secretary of Leo Club, senior class representative for student council and appointed yearbook editor. He has expanded his education by taking high school and college level online classes, resulting in 21 college credits upon graduation, all while maintaining a 3.8 GPA. Blake has also been an important part of the family business. He began working at Bayburgers the summer of his sixth-grade year, allowing him to make life-long friendships. He looks forward to working and having fun every summer! Blake would like to thank his teachers, friends and family for their ongoing support.

Taylor Ann Dillree moved to Seeley Lake with her family in 2013. She participated and lettered in volleyball for four years, basketball for three years and choir for one year. She would like to thank all the staff at SSHS for helping her through high school and encouraging her to push herself academically. She would also like to thank her family and friends for all of their support. Taylor plans on taking time to heal her knee before joining the Air Force.

Brayden Micheal Rodriguez moved to Seeley Lake when he was in the fourth grade. He was shocked at how small Seeley Lake was. He made friends and started to learn how much fun you can have in this area. One of his favorite memories was skipping the last day of school his seventh-grade year and riding dirt bikes all day long with his friends Caleb Maughan and Avery Smith. Brayden's family moved to Utah his eighth-grade year. He found himself struggling academically and just not liking Utah. The summer before his sophomore year, Bayden received permission from his parents Barb and Chad Staten and moved back to Seeley Lake to live with his grandparents Mike and Cindy Triplet. Brayden rededicated himself to school. He worked really hard to make up credits and get caught up academically in his classes. His hard work paid off making Academic All-State his sophomore and junior years. He lettered in football, basketball and golf. When attending football camp at Montana Tech his senior year, Brayden stood out as one of the best players in the linebacker position. The head coach for Montana approached Brayden after the camp was over and told him they were interested in him playing for them. Unfortunately, Brayden kept having knee injuries which hindered his performances and chances for that to happen. One of Brayden's highlights in football happened on Senior Night against Clark Fork where he got a pick six. Braden will continue his schooling at Montana Western for health and physical education. He is the first in his known family to attend college. Brayden would like to thank his parents, grandparents and the Maughan family for all their support and love. All of us who have been privileged to have Brayden in our lives, would like to thank him for being a kind good human being. We love you and wish all the best in your future endeavors.

Emma Maree Stevenson has been going to school in Seeley Lake from preschool to her senior year, only missing one year. Emma played volleyball for four years, lettering for four years and managed basketball for two years as well. Emma would like to thank the staff at Seeley-Swan for pushing her to succeed and all of her family members for never giving up on her. She would also like to thank the members of this community for always cheering her on. Emma plans on going to the University of Montana to become an ultrasound tech. She has received an academic scholarship from the University of Montana.

Caleb Glenn Maughan moved to Seeley Lake at the age of four. His favorite memory in Junior High School was skipping the last day of school his seventh-grade year and riding dirt bikes all day long with Brayden Rodriguez and Avery Smith. One of his highlights in Junior High was breaking the Meet of Champions and the Junior High school record in the 4x400m relay with his teammates. One of his best memories in high a happened at his Senior Night football game against top ranked Clark Fork. He believes it was his best game he ever played. In track, Caleb's junior year, he was on the 4x400m relay team that set a new SSHS record, took first in the Top Ten Tournament and first at state. He took fifth at State Track in high jump, clearing 6'0" (Caleb is only 5'9"), was on the 4x100m relay team that took third and took second in the 800m. By far, the most devastating thing for Caleb this year, was having his senior year of track taken from him. He was looking forward to setting new records, collecting medals and making lifetime memories with his friends. Caleb signed with the Navy and has been accepted into their Nuclear Engineering program. He leaves for basic training in October. This program is one of the hardest the military has to offer. It takes two years of schooling with a 70% drop out rate. Caleb is up to this challenge. He knows it will be hard but he is determined to be successful. Caleb would like to thank all his administrators, teachers, coaches, friends and family for all the support and good influences they have been to him. He would also like to thank the community of Seeley Lake for all their support at games and fundraisers. Caleb is such an amazing young man who has brought a lot of happiness to his friends and family. We wish him the best as he continues to work hard in his future endeavors and hope he is successful in life.

Terra Shea Bertsch has had the privilege of an entire education in Seeley Lake. From pre-school through high school, she thanks the numerous mentors that have positively influenced her. These experiences have inspired her to strive to be a positive mentor to others. Terra has taken great pride in maintaining a 4.0 grade point average while taking advantage of the opportunities to ski, play basketball and run track competitively. In the fall, she plans to attend Montana State University for health and human performance. Thus far she has received scholarships from Montana State Premier and The Montana STEM.

Jayla Dawn Kauffman was born in Langhorne, Penn. and attended school there until first grade. The summer before her second-grade year, she moved to Condon and went to Swan Valley Elementary School through eighth grade. During high school she participated in several activities including volleyball, track, cross country, band, drama and the Seeley Lake Leos Club. She has always really enjoyed band. She made it to state music festivals twice and participated in the UM All Star Band all four years of high school playing the trombone. Jayla will be attending Idaho State University in the fall to pursue a bachelor's degree in radiographic sciences. She will also be a part of the ISU marching band and pep band. Jayla would like to thank all of the teachers she has had both at Swan Valley School and SSHS for always being there for me and guiding me through my education. She would also like to thank her friends and family for always supporting me and for their continuing support as she moves into the next part of her life.

Levi Henry Reinitz is the son of Randy and Carol Reinitz. He has always been a very hard worker at school and the last few years working at Roveros. He has always been a great help to staff and gone out of his way to say hi to almost every staff member every day. He has a can-do attitude that becomes infectious to all students and staff. His dedication to the library the last two years has led to not only improved organization but also inspiration for all students with his ideas for reading promotion. Levi's presence the last four years at SSHS has made it a better place. Levi enjoyed running cross-country and his time as a library aid. He always has a smile and hello for everyone he meets. Levi plans to work this summer at Rovero's. He will wait and see what the future holds for him after that. Levi would like to thank his parents for always supporting him.

Ashly Dawn Berentsen attended school at Swan Valley Elementary from kindergarten through seventh grade. She was homeschooled in Utah from eighth - tenth grade after which she returned to public school at Seeley-Swan High School. She was awarded "Most Inspiring Student" for 2019 and achieved membership in the National Honor Society. She has received a scholarship from Utah State Eastern where she will pursue a degree in psychology starting this fall. When not in school Ashly works at Good Times in Seeley Lake, she also enjoys fishing with her boyfriend Cody and has recently found a passion for growing plants. Ashly would like to thank her mom Amber and her stepdad Tony for supporting her in her journey to becoming a responsible adult.

Jace Tyler Layman was a sweet-natured kid growing up with a lot of outdoor interests that he has managed to develop over the years. Those hobbies include snowmobiling, hunting, fly fishing, roping and horseback riding. Jace has always been somewhat of an "old soul" that has led him to furthering interests outside of the typical school activities like sports. Although he played both football and basketball in elementary school, he enjoyed his other outdoor activities more. Jace attended Seeley Lake Elementary through the sixth grade until his family moved to Havre, Mont. Jace then attended seventh - ninth grade as a Havre Blue Pony until returning to Seeley-Swan High School in the fall of 2017 as a sophomore. Work has always been at the forefront of Jace's mind since he could start getting paid and he plans on working for his family at Rich's Montana Guest Ranch for the summer packing and riding the trails of the Bob Marshall, while deciding on welding school choices and location for the upcoming year. Jace is an amazing young man with so much mechanical talent and the ability to do whatever he sets his mind to, all the while keeping in mind the things that matter most to him, his family.

Alysa Lorraine Russell has worked so hard in school that she graduated early in January, taking the time to return for award assembly to share her creative poetry. She has also held down a job at Cory's Valleys Market almost that entire time. Alysa has been a wonderful addition to SSHS and her attitude will be missed at school. Alysa would like to thank her mom Jean Loesch for everything over the years. Alysa plans to work at Cory's Volley Market for the summer and see what the fall brings.

Kara Brynn Good has lived in Seeley Lake for her entire education from pre-school through high school. She has had numerous mentors and been mentor to many of her schoolmates. She always maintained a 4.0 grade point average. She served as president of both Student Council and the LEO's Club. Her love of sports led her to be a basketball team captain as well as excelling on the track and field team. She participated as an Ambassador to the HOBY program. In addition, Kara was recognized with the 2019 Jeanette Rankin Peace Award, the 2019 Montana Mathematics Award and won the 2019 Daughters of the American Revolution Essay contest. Camping, hiking, surfing, and snowboarding are her favorite outdoor activities. MSU presented Kara a scholarship and this fall she plans to enter the Civil Engineering program minoring in building energy systems. Kara has a huge loving heart and always shows appreciation for the people who have provided guidance to her in her life's journey. Kara loves her family above all and her sister Tru Joy is always her best friend.

Melina Joellen Davis is the daughter of David and Carla Davis. Melina is a great artist and designed the cover picture for this year's graduation programs. Following graduation she will be moving to Anchorage, Alaska to work in real estate.