House named 64th First Lady

Whitefish’s 64th First Lady is involved

with more student-based organizations and projects than she can

count on 10 fingers.

Deb House, former president of

Whitefish’s Parent Teacher Association, was selected as the honoree

through a vote by a handful of former First Ladies. The Beta Sigma

Phi sorority has sponsored the annual award since 1947.

The award honors women who devote

extraordinary amounts of time and energy to the community. The

First Lady of Whitefish committee noted House’s participation in

services for Whitefish youth and the community at large.

Along with working with the PTA and as

a coordinator with the Education Foundation, House has been

involved with Bulldog Boosters, mentoring, Whitefish CARE, High

Five, Adopt an Instrument, PEO, the Rotary Club, Project Whitefish

Kids, American Cancer Society and First Presbyterian Church. She

also was the co-chair of the Whitefish Middle School paver project

and was a Central School bond committee member.

“It’s my calling to be involved,” House

told the Pilot. “I have this God-given love for kids, and to be a

small part of any kind of event that benefits kids in the long run

— I’m in.”

She says it’s an enormous honor to be

named First Lady.

“I’m humbled,” she said. “I’m just

humbled, that’s the only word to use. I can’t believe it.”

When House and her husband, Whitefish

school superintendent Jerry House, moved here 11 years ago, she

almost immediately was asked to be president of PTA. The biggest

job was fundraising expertise, which House brought to the table.

She was involved with Springhetti at Muldown, Reflections, Arts in

April, parenting classes, golf tournaments, Sally Foster’s and

more.

As the fundraising coordinator for the

Education Foundation, House created the High Five Project, which

brings grants to classrooms in the district each year. Last year,

the project earned more than $23,000. But the volunteering she’s

most proud of comes from mentoring.

“My greatest gift has been mentoring a

terrific student that I have been with for three years,” House

noted. “It’s so rewarding and fun. We have a great friendship, and

we both learn so much from each other.”

When her husband retires later this

year, House says she’ll step away from many of the school-related

projects she’s currently leading.

“I want to give the new superintendent

space,” she said. “I’ll be involved with the community in some

capacity, but I’ll cut strings with the school. I’ll cry buckets

though. It’ll be bitter sweet. The great friendships I’ve made

along the way working on behalf of the school have been

overwhelming.”

For now, however, House still works on

High Five projects, will help select Helen Malloy scholarship

recipients, will help with the Project Whitefish Kids auction, and

she continues to mentor and serve at her church.

House will be honored at the First Lady

luncheon on Saturday, May 7, at noon at the Moose Lodge in

Whitefish.

Tickets are on sale at the Whitefish

Credit Union. See Diane Gideon downstairs at the Credit Union for

tickets.