WHS awarded for good sportsmanship throughout 2020-21 school year

by WHITNEY ENGLAND
Whitefish Pilot | November 24, 2021 1:00 AM

Whitefish High School recently received an award from the Montana High School Association that recognized the school as having good-sporting behavior with zero player or coach ejections during activities throughout the 2020-21 school year.

The recognition is part of the MHSA-Stockman Bank Sportsmanship Program. At a school board meeting on Nov. 9 the activities department was recognized by the board for this accomplishment.

Whitefish Activities Director Aric Harris told the board that achieving the good sportsmanship award is something that the school’s programs strive for every year and have received it in eight out of the last nine years that he could recall.

“That’s something that we really hold in high regard,” Harris said. “Something that we like to take care of business on our end and represent Whitefish School District and the community of Whitefish in the best way that we possibly can.”

A letter accompanying the award states that MHSA places a high priority on good-sporting behaviors and it is evident that Whitefish High administrators, coaches and student athletes strive to abide by those standards.

“This is an outstanding accomplishment for your school,” the letter reads. “Whitefish High School’s students, faculty, administration and local school trustees should be extremely proud of this achievement.”

Harris also added that the high school has a high participation rate in extracurricular activities — after the fall season the school is at 67% participation and by the end of the year the rate will likely climb to 85% or more.

According to Harris, during the fall semester Whitefish High School had 208 students involved in athletic programs, 164 in music, 25 students in drama and are anticipating 30-plus students in speech and debate which is just beginning its season.

The high school also has 16 active clubs and staff is always talking with students about the potential of adding more activities to fit the needs of more students, according to the school.