Superintendent Arntzen and Commissioner Ray Shaw Honor Montana’s Military-Friendly Schools and Community Members

• Brian O'Leary
• December 16 2024

HELENA – The Montana Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) and Superintendent Arntzen are proud to announce Montana’s Purple Star Schools and Purple Star Champions Awardees for 2024-2025.

Montana’s 2024-2025 Purple Star School Awardees are:

• Holy Spirit Catholic School, Great Falls, MT – This is a redesignation of the 201-2022 award. Holy Spirit Catholic initiated a new military student club this year to support their 70 military-connected students.
• Riverview Elementary School, Great Falls, MT – Principal Nicole Heintzelman and Counselor Casey Gibson have taken the MIC3 training program and committed to setting up a military family webpage. Riverview Elementary observes all military holidays.
• Joliet Public Schools, Joliet, MT – Superintendent Clark Begger and Counselor Stacie Nardinger have taken the MIC3 training program and committed to setting up a military family webpage. Joliet Public Schools observes all military holidays.

The 2024- 2025 Purple Star Champion Awardees are:

Mark Yeager, Great Falls Public Schools Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways Advisor, has dedicated over two decades to Great Falls Public Schools, leaving a lasting impact through his commitment to education and community. His journey began as an Industrial Technology Teacher at C.M. Russell High School (CMR) from August 27, 2001, to June 1, 2018. He then served as a Career Pathways Advisor at CMR from August 27, 2018, to June 5, 2020, before transitioning to the District Office Building in the same capacity, where he continues to serve today. Beyond his professional achievements, Mark is an avid golfer and a dedicated family man. He is devoted to his wife and children, proudly celebrating his son’s service as a 2LT in the US Army. Mark Yaeger's unwavering dedication to education, his students, and the Great Falls community makes him a deserving recipient of the Purple Star Award.

Tara Murillo, Librarian at Chief Joseph Elementary School in Great Falls, has dedicated twenty-six years to Great Falls Public Schools. At the beginning of her tenure, she served eight years as a classroom teacher in grades first through third at Roosevelt Elementary, where she later became the school librarian. In 2010, she moved to teach library at her neighborhood school, Chief Joseph Elementary. Here, Ms. Murillo has served as the librarian ever since. Now, her family, military-affiliated supporters, and Great Falls Public Schools can champion Ms. Tara Murillo as she so often does for her own. Congratulations to this deserving recipient of the Purple Star Award!

Montana Johnson, Counselor at Morningside Elementary School in Great Falls, is a committed school counselor for the Great Falls Public School District who developed extensive experience supporting the unique needs of military children and their families while serving at Loy Elementary School from 2020 to 2024. Possessing a strong background in social-emotional learning, resilience-building, and behavioral guidance, Montana worked to create a safe, nurturing environment where students at Loy thrived amidst the challenges of frequent relocations and transitions, and separations due to parental deployment. Known for his compassionate approach, Montana specializes in helping students navigate challenges, build meaningful connections, and develop skills necessary for personal and academic success. Montana is a husband and father to two young children and enjoys spending time with his family, camping, hiking, playing the drums, and softball, and watching his beloved Minnesota Vikings. His dedicated support of the military students and families at Malmstrom AFB during his time at Loy Elementary makes him a deserving Purple Star Champion and we are grateful for his time in service!

The Purple Star Award distinguishes Montana schools and individual champions who have displayed extraordinary commitment to supporting our military students and their families. To qualify as a Purple Star School, each school must meet specific designation criteria and be given support through the state and national Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission to continue the strong support of our military-connected students and families.  This is the fourth year MIC3 and OPI will be recognizing Montana’s military-friendly schools with the Purple Star School Award.  This is the third year recognizing and awarding Montana Purple Star Champions.

“We are all Montana proud of the dedication shown to the children and families of our armed forces by these Purple Star Schools and Champions,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “Montana has a rich history of military service and honoring our veterans. Please join me in thanking these schools and community members as they put our military-connected children and families first!”

“Military children face unique challenges due to their families' service and frequent relocations,” said Ray Shaw, MIC3 Commissioner for Montana. “It is imperative that we provide them with consistent and compassionate support in our schools, fostering environments where they can excel and feel valued. Purple Star Schools play a crucial role in this mission, and the MIC3 greatly appreciates their efforts in supporting these remarkable children."

The 2023-2024 Purple Star School Awardees were Valley Christian School in Missoula, Loy Elementary School in Great Falls, North Middle School in Great Falls, CMR High School in Great Falls, and Washington Middle School in Glendive. The Purple Star Champions were Nick Budeski, Jamie Williams, and Lisa Sapp.

The Purple Star School designation lasts three years at which time the school is eligible for re-designation.  These schools have gone above and beyond being military friendly, through a maintained commitment to serve their military students and continually honor the military family sacrifice.

###