Students organize Walk For Life

The Whitefish High School student council is sponsoring a community event next week aimed at raising awareness for suicide prevention.

Freshman Julia Houston and senior Claire Watts are organizing the Walk for Life event on June 3 with proceeds going to the Nate Chute Foundation and the Student Assistance Program.

“Suicide is something that needs to be paid attention to,” Watts said. “It’s something that needs to be talked about.”

The pair came up with the idea for the Walk for Life together.

Houston wanted the student council to sponsor an event for suicide prevention, noting that a student in her class committed suicide last year.

“We wanted to support the family and get the community involved,” she said. “We wanted to create an event that would provide a lasting impression.”

The Nate Chute Foundation, named for a WHS student who committed suicide, has a mission to provide suicide prevention efforts, particularly in the Whitefish School District.

The Student Assistance Program is an intervention program for K-12 students with its primary focus on providing support groups where students can talk about various issues in a safe environment.

Houston said the student’s death had a large impact on the high school student body.

“SAP provided help when the school was struggling,” she said. “Nate Chute has contributed to the SAP program.”

Watts said she has personally benefited from attending SAP groups and talking with her peers about common concerns. Part of the student council’s goal is to create events for students and the Walk for Life fits with that.

“We listen to what the students need and there was a big call for this,” she said.

About 70 individuals have registered for the event. Most are high school students, teachers or parents, but Houston and Watts are encouraging community members to participate in the event, as well.

The Walk for Life is Tuesday, June 3 at the high school track. Individuals and teams will walk around the high school track from 6 to 10 p.m. Refreshments and music will be provided. Luminary bags will be lit at 9 p.m. to honor suicide victims.

Registration for the Walk for Life is $10 for individuals or $8 per person for teams of five or more. Registration forms are available at Muldown Elementary, Whitefish Middle School and Whitefish High School offices. Luminary bags are available for a $5 donation.

For more information, contact the high school at 862-8600.