MSU award

Forty of Montana State University’s top seniors and their faculty or staff mentors were recognized Feb. 19 at the 31st annual Awards for Excellence banquet at the MSU campus. The award-winning students each selected a mentor who will be honored with them at the event. Representing the College of Education, Health and Human Development, was Austin Robbins, of Columbia Falls. He is majoring in secondary education with a general science broadfield. His mentor is Lynn Kelting-Gibson.

Eighth-grade party

Parents of eighth-graders at Columbia Falls High School will sponsor a fundraiser to help cover the costs of the eighth grade party, which is held in lieu of a graduation ceremony. The spaghetti lunch or dinner will be held at Tien’s Place on Sunday, Feb. 24, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost is $8 for spaghetti, bread and a drink.

Playground fundraiser

The Ruder Elementary School PTO is raising money to replace a large piece of playground equipment that will be removed this summer. The playground is used by the entire community. There are two ways people can help: 1) shop online for gifts, candles, gift wrap, cookie dough and other items from www.celebratinghome.com/fundraiser/Rudder2013/OnlineFundraiserHome.aspx, with half the profits going to the PTO fund; or 2) donate at www.gofundme.com/1yix9c. For more information, call Jenny Van Westrop at 249-6635.

School writing contest

The Authors of the Flathead is sponsoring the 2013 High School Student Writing Contest for students in grades 9-12. Students can win $300, $200 and $100 for short stories and $125, $75 and $50 for poems. Mail works to 2013 Student Writing Contest, Authors of the Flathead, P.O. Box 7711, Kalispell MT 59904-0711. Deadline is April 13. Guidelines and entry form are available online at www.authorsoftheflathead.org. For more information, e-mail george_stringfellow@hotmail.com.

Climate change teachers

Glacier National Park and the Glacier Institute are accepting applications for a four-day climate change teacher workshop to be held June 24-27 at the Glacier Institute’s Field Camp in West Glacier. Room and board will be provided free of charge. Participation is limited to 20 teachers. For more information, visit online at www.glacierinstitute.org/workshop or call 406-755-1211. On-line applications must be completed by March 22.