In the fall of 2023, Whitefish High School freshman Christian Reeb and senior Dane Hunt formed a friendship that would forge the path for a new scholarship to be formed – one in which kindness is the only merit.  

“Kindness is free. Anyone can be kind to anyone,” said Hunt, who is now a freshman at the University of Mississippi. 

During Hunt’s senior year at Whitefish High School, his guidance counselor, Lyndsey Marshall, suggested he be an aide in Carrie O’Reilly’s special education classroom. 

“Right away, I fell in love with going to the class. It’s the only class that ever did that for me,” Hunt said.  

While Hunt said he connected with several of the class’s students throughout the school year, there was one student, Christian Reeb, who he formed a special bond with.  

Hunt said what started as help in the classroom with Reeb grew into a mutually beneficial relationship that they carry on to this day, bonding through sports, and catching up with phone calls and on school breaks when Hunt returns home.  

“Being with him helped both of us stay on task,” Hunt said. “From history and writing to then going out and passing the football around, I just wanted to show that I enjoyed it too. I always had a great time.”  

Hunt said he tried to be a good role model, upholding kindness to all as a value that he said his parents instilled in him.  

“I wanted to show that I understand that everyone goes through things in life, and that I would be there for support,” Hunt said.  

The experience is something that has helped prepare Hunt for his freshman year at Ole Miss, where he is studying business sales.  

“I like talking to people and meeting people,” Hunt said. “My dad did sales when I was growing up, and I always admired his work ethic when it came to meeting people.”  

“Mississippi is definitely a big change, but I’m having a good time, rushing a fraternity and working on my grades,” Hunt said.  

MEANWHILE in Whitefish, Dane’s mom, Regan Ryan Hunt, and Christian’s mom, Pam Reeb, came together in the fall of 2024 with the idea for a scholarship inspired by Dane and Christian’s friendship.  

Pam Reeb said that she had prayed for many years for someone to bring brightness to her son’s life, and that Dane Hunt helped answer those prayers.  Now, as mothers, they’re hoping to spread that message of kindness to others.  

The two reached out to the Whitefish Education Foundation to organize the Christian Reeb and Dane Hunt Kindness Scholarship.  

“I learned from my mom growing up that kindness is free,” Dane Hunt said. “And now the scholarship will spread awareness of that: that anyone can be kind to anyone.” 

Anyone in the Whitefish community can nominate a graduating senior to receive this award, and anyone can donate to expand the scholarship to additional recipients and/or years.  

“With kindness scholarships, those who are not the strongest students or athletes but are good people doing good things can also receive accolades,” said Caroline Frisbee, Whitefish Education Foundation scholarship mentor chair.  

Applications for seniors are due by March 28 to the Whitefish High School guidance office. The finalists will be selected April 4 by mothers Pam Reeb and Regan Hunt. 

Anyone interested in supporting can send checks to: Whitefish Education Foundation, c/o the Christian Reeb and Dane Hunt Kindness Scholarship P.O. Box 1417 Whitefish, MT 59937.