Boot competition raises funds for Intermountain

Art classes from each high school in the Flathead Valley rallied together recently in a friendly rivalry for Intermountain’s Painted Boot Scoot.

This was a lighthearted competition between all six high schools, with the winning boot getting a trophy and bragging rights.

Each school was given a white ceramic boot to paint. Students had to include their school’s name, mascot and school colors in the design. The boots also had to incorporate the theme, “What it means to be a child in Montana.”

Flathead High School created a decoupage masterpiece with a collage of student writing woven onto the boot.

Columbia Falls High School’s boot was finely glazed and incorporated the majestic mountains and trees found in Montana.

The finely painted wilderness scene of Bigfork High School’s boot had this humorous quote on the heel of its boot: “Montana is all that Colorado thinks it is.”

Stillwater Christian School went with the rustic, worn boot approach, while Glacier High School’s boot was filled with vibrant colors and scenes from Montana.

Whitefish High School’s boot featured a panoramic aspen mountain scene with a poem about Montana written by the students.

The boots went before a panel of judges from Intermountain’s Summer Roundup committee for voting. It was a tough vote because of the quality and uniqueness of each of the boots, according to development manager Michelle Fetveit, but in the end, Whitefish High’s boot was deemed the winner.

The boots will be auctioned this summer at Intermountain’s Summer Roundup. Proceeds from the Summer Roundup are used to help the children served by Intermountain in the Flathead Valley.

The event starts at 5:30 p.m. June 27 at the Diamond B Ranch in the Lower Valley. Dr. Art Ulene is the featured speaker; Nikki Frizzell is the guest artist.

The O’Connells will provide music, and the Cuisine Machine is catering the event. Dean Folkvord will serve as auctioneer; the roundup includes live and silent auctions.

Guests are invited to dress in their best cowboy gear.

Tickets are $125 per person and are available by calling Fetveit at 249-7290.

Founded in Helena in 1909, Intermountain has been caring for society’s neediest children for more than a century. Its focused mission of hope, healing and restoration drives the organization’s quest to impact the many youths and families enrolled in its services.

Intermountain’s services include residential treatment, adoption and family support, therapeutic group homes, a family learning center, public and professional seminars, day treatment, school-based mental health services, crisis residence (Providence Home), psychological assessment and treatment, and outpatient psychiatry.

For more information, visit www.intermountain.org.