Boosters plan showcase of fine arts

Friday event to benefit both high schools in Kalispell

The Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead/Glacier Booster Club is hosting its annual Evening of Fine Arts at 7 p.m. Friday in the Flathead High School auditorium.

More than 200 students are involved in this year's program.

Highlights include performances by this year's top speech and debate winners, dramatic scenes from "On Golden Pond" and music from the high school band, choir and orchestra. Student artwork will be on display throughout the evening, and refreshments will be served during intermission.

"Showcasing the great talent our students have is a really fun part of our Booster Club volunteer work," said board member Kim Nystuen, who, after organizing the event for a number of years, will step down after this year. Board members Toni Modie and Denise Nalty also have been instrumental in organizing the event.

The Evening of Fine Arts is one of the Booster Club's major fundraisers. The event began in 2001 as a $75 dinner but is now more casual and affordable. Admission costs $10, which goes directly toward high school extracurricular activities.

This year's proceeds will be used for activities at both Glacier and Flathead high schools - everything from athletics to speech and debate.

"We felt it was in the best interest of the community as well as the schools to, at least in the short term, keep one Booster Club," President John Thiebes said.

The Booster Club opted to stay together to promote unity between the schools and lessen its financial burden on the community, board member Mary McClarty said.

"With two schools and two fundraisers, the community gets hit twice as hard," she explained. "And with a new school coming in, [the district is] going to need all the money it can get."

Keeping the club together will allow donors to give once and cover all the students, Thiebes said. It will also allow the district to spend its money in other necessary areas.

Tickets for the Evening of Fine Arts may be purchased at the Flathead High School office, Herberger's or from any Booster Club board member.

Call 751-3518 for more information.