Surrounded by a multitude of Glacier High School students for a photo shoot, parent Natalie Davis is in her glory.

A photograph of Davis among the students she loves is an apt illustration for the busy mother because they’ve been her focus ever since her own children started school.

Her daughter Hannah, a senior at Glacier, helped gather students for the photo session, and there was no shortage of volunteers. When the school bell rang, students clustered around the popular mom. A senior walked up to her, noting “I sent this [invitation] to 48 people Natalie.” Davis’ smile broadens and she gives the student a hug.

These are some of the students she has watched grow up with Hannah and her son Spencer, who graduated from Glacier in 2010.

Even among a crowd Davis is identifiable by the pink flower hair accessories she uses to pin back her long wavy hair, a reflection of her vivaciousness. She said she’s grateful for everyone in her life — the students, their parents, school staff, district administration and her family.

“I wanted to help the administration out and the kids out. Administration can be so overwhelmed, so a group of us [parents] wanted to just go in and help where we could,” she said. “I want to give a shout-out to this awesome district, the principals in each school, from Edgerton to KMS to Glacier, have never denied me to be able to serve.”

Being in the spotlight is unusual for the 49-year-old who prefers to shine the light on everyone who has impacted her life.

“The senior class [doesn’t] need to be afraid for the future because of who they are because they are so amazing,” Natalie said. “They are well-rounded.”

Her kudos extend to students around the valley. She has watched them come through with poise and promise, despite peer pressure and other challenges teens face.

“Their parents need to really be proud,” Davis said. “They are great young adults.”

After the photo session Davis opened bags of candy for the students. One student takes a piece and said with a smile, “she’s the reason we stay in school.”

This moment reminds her of “Wonderful Wednesday,” where once a month parents hand out candy to students and greet them. She said it began as a way to counteract some bullying issues a couple of years ago.

“We try to acknowledge everybody so that someone has said ‘hi’ to them with a kind word or uplifting comment,” Davis said.

She has helped out with numerous school events such as prom and attended her children’s activities, whether it’s rooting for the Glacier team at a sports game or hitting the road to watch the school band perform.

Senior Nikia Whiteaker has known Davis since elementary school.

“She was always so involved in elementary school, the plays we did she would help out with, in middle school she helped out with all the events [and in] high school she’s doing the same thing,” Whiteaker said.

This year following her daughter’s graduation, Davis will say good-bye to Kalispell, the family’s home for the past decade, and will move to Utah where her husband Mark has relocated for his career.

The Davises have been married for 23 years.

“Because of him I’m able to do what I do,” she said.

And even cheerleaders need cheerleaders. “He supports me and helps me and he’s my biggest cheerleader in letting me do what I do,” she said.

She will also say good-bye to her good friend and volunteer sidekick, Mary Jo Cramer.

“I don’t think I know a more gracious volunteer than Mary Jo,” Davis said. “We met at Edgerton where my kids started second and fifth grade. We just clicked on how we work and do things.”

Volunteering in Kalispell Public Schools has been a labor of love.

“I feel I’ve been blessed to be a stay-at-home mom,” she said.

Davis’ daughter probably will attend Utah State University and her son is currently serving a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Iowa.

Growing up the middle child of eight, Davis experienced her own mother always present at her elementary school and wanted to embody that spirit of service and devotion.

“My mom was always at the school. She was the room mother. She was always helping and that’s where I think I got that [desire to serve] from,” she said. “I think that what I learned from my parents and being from such a large family is, every child felt loved and felt special and that we were individuals.”

So far, she’s has had the time of her life making others feel special.

“I’m just basically living a dream, because I don’t want to wake up,” she said.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.