End of year traditions return to local schools

After canceling or modifying spring traditions and sports seasons last year, south Lincoln County Schools are ramping end-of-school events back up.

Jim Germany, assistant principal of Libby Middle High School, said students would be able to enjoy celebrations including prom — held last weekend — a traditional graduation ceremony and band and choir concerts.

Troy High School students will have prom and graduation celebrations, said Principal Christina Schertel. The school will host both events on the district’s football field. Prom will feature a live band.

Many Libby teens were thrilled that high school officials brought prom back.

“It feels great,” said senior Cody Crace at the March 20 dance at the Libby Memorial Events Center.

With last year’s prom canceled due to the pandemic, 2021 marked Crace’s first appearance at the annual rite of passage for high school students.

Aydan Williamson also was glad the school had organized the event. Williamson said he had not been concerned that prom would be canceled, though. Since the start of the academic year, Libby Public Schools managed to hold the majority of its regular extracurricular events.

The district put on football, basketball, soccer and wrestling seasons over the fall and winter, albeit with limits on the number of spectators.

Libby did have to call off choir and band events last year. In July, the Montana High School Association canceled the annual All State Band, Choir and Orchestra Music Festival. The association’s executive board cited concerns of high-risk transmissions through the playing of instruments and singing.

Germany said the district was able to host a band and choir performance earlier this month. The day after the concert, he said the event went off without a hitch. The district held a second performance in the Ralph Tate Gymnasium two weeks later.

To keep spectators socially distanced, administrators limited seating capacity in the gym to 20 percent, according to the district’s website. The school permitted four fans per performer. Due to the choir group’s smaller size, choristers were able to invite six spectators.

School sports teams, sidelined across the county by the pandemic last year, are hitting the playing fields again. Last April, MHSA canceled sporting events after then Gov. Steve Bullock closed public schools.

Many students lamented the lost season. At the time, Ashlyn Monigold, 17 and in her senior year, told The Western News that it was hard for her to accept that her high school softball career might be over.

“It’s really hard for me because I feel all the seniors have worked so hard,” she said. “It’s really hard to process that we might not have a chance to play.”

This year, Libby athletes were able to return to courts and fields. During one of the softball team’s first outdoor practices of the year, senior Bethany Thomas was thrilled to have the chance to compete.

“I’m just excited to play,” she said of the team’s season opener against Frenchtown on April 3.