Congratulations to our latest Most Valuable Pupil, Katelynn Hampton.

This Columbus High student is an MVP for several great reasons. Katelynn has always gotten As and is a 4.0 student. She drives to Billings every week to participate in Nova's high school improv troupe.

Hampton is a standout drama student who has acted in several plays. She has participated in Speech and Drama. Katelynn is in band, pep band, and is 1st chair in Tri-County Honor Band. She has hundreds of volunteer hours. She is kind and hardworking.

Katelynn is now in the running to win $1,000, and she scored a weekly prize from our vault. Hat's off to this great student!

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Columbus High - Google Maps
Columbus High - Google Maps
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If you would like to nominate a Billings-area student, please do so HERE.

Each weekly MVP winner receives a prize from our prize vault and will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win $1,000 cash, thanks to our friends at Gerstner Adam Law.  Got into an accident or workplace injury? They'll fight for you at Gerstner Adam Law.

Photo submitted by MyLinda Lovell/Google Maps
Photo submitted by MyLinda Lovell/Google Maps
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WEEK 7 MVP: Keldon Lovell, at Skyview High School. 

He excels academically and actively contributes to both his school and the broader Billings community.

Keldon maintains a rigorous course load, including Honors and Advanced Placement classes, and has earned an impressive 4.5 GPA, placing him in the top 10% of his class. 

Lovell aspires to become a chemical engineer and is proactively preparing for this career path by participating in the Dual Enrollment program through Montana State University Billings (MSUB), where he is currently taking college-level courses to further challenge himself and gain early exposure to university academics.

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Photo by Vedrana Filipović on Unsplash
Photo by Vedrana Filipović on Unsplash
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Beyond the classroom, Keldon is deeply involved in extracurricular activities.

He has earned a varsity letter in cross country, competes in track and field, and plays percussion for both the Skyview Pep Band and the city’s marching band.

He is a proud member of the National Honor Society and represents his school at the national level through Business Professionals of America (BPA). During the off-season, he dedicates time to tutoring his peers, further demonstrating his commitment to academic excellence and mentorship.

Keldon’s dedication extends into the Billings community through meaningful service.

For his Eagle Scout project, he constructed raised garden beds for Skyview High School, enhancing the campus and promoting sustainability. As an active scout, he regularly participates in service initiatives and character-building activities. Additionally, he volunteers with St. John’s United Hospice, cultivating plants used as bereavement gifts for families, an act that reflects his compassion and thoughtfulness.

Photo submitted by Heather Mueller/Google Maps
Photo submitted by Heather Mueller/Google Maps
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WEEK 6 MVP: Dane Mueller

Meet our most recent MVP, Dane Mueller from Billings Central. Mueller is a 'Most Valuable Pupil' for several reasons, including his commitment to Scouts, academics, and sports.

Mueller, a Sophomore at Central, just completed his Eagle Scout project - building tables for the school's art department. He has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout high school, taking AP and additional classes, and lettered in two sports as a freshman (wrestling and football),

The ambitious student qualified for Academic All-State and spearheaded many activities with his scout troop. He hopes to pursue Journalism and play football at the University of Montana.

Photo submitted by Tiffany Meier/Google Maps
Photo submitted by Tiffany Meier/Google Maps
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WEEK 5 MVP: Harlee Meier

This week’s Most Valuable Pupil is Harlee Meier from Park City High, an outstanding student who is earning perfect grades while juggling multiple school clubs, cheering on her team from the sidelines, and still finding time to hit the golf course. In the afternoon, you’ll find her helping out as a teacher’s assistant in two different classrooms, proving she’s as dependable as she is driven.

Over the summer, Harlee represented her school at American Legion Girls State, and when she’s not studying or leading by example, she’s often babysitting for local families or hanging out with her younger brother.

She’s already thinking about the future, too, applying to colleges with plans to study law or psychology, both perfect fits for someone who clearly understands hard work, empathy, and leadership.

Congratulations, Harlee! You’re an inspiration to your peers, teachers, and the entire community. Keep shining... the world needs more MVPs like you.

Credit Google Maps/Photo submitted by Amanda Agyeman-Budu
Credit Google Maps/Photo submitted by Amanda Agyeman-Budu
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Week 4 MVP: Emberlyn Agyeman-Budu

This week’s Billings Most Valuable Pupil, presented by Gerstner Adam Law, goes to a student who somehow manages to pack more into 24 hours than most of us could in a week: Emberlyn Agyeman-Budu, a Freshman at Billings Senior.

Emberlyn’s teachers describe her as the kind of student who “works extremely hard in everything she does,” and they’re not kidding. Last year, she pulled off a 4.0 GPA while juggling volleyball, basketball, and track, plus playing year-round soccer.

Agyeman-Badu is the goalkeeper for Billings Real. She's on the Montana Olympic Development team and was selected for the Far West Regional team, which puts her among the best young players in the western U.S.

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Photo by Connor Coyne on Unsplash
Photo by Connor Coyne on Unsplash
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This past summer, Emberlyn made Montana sports history as the first keeper from the state to compete at the National Championships after her Real team took home the regional title. She was reselected for the Far West team after another intense tryout this July and will head to compete for a National Team spot in early 2026.

Back home, she’s now the varsity keeper at Billings Senior High, where she’s allowed just one goal in ten games, a stat that would make any pro proud. And when she’s not on the field, she’s excelling in the classroom, even catching up on honors coursework after a late enrollment.

Inset photo provided by Sandy Wilson/Google Maps
Inset photo provided by Sandy Wilson/Google Maps
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Billings' Week 3 MVP - Zachary Wyman

Congratulations to our latest Most Valuable Pupil honoree, Zachary Wyman. Zachary is an 8th grader at Medicine Crow Middle School who has overcome a difficult health issue.

At an early age, Zachary was diagnosed with a rare blood disease. Low blood platelets prevented him from playing any sport. He's been in remission for a while now and is making up for lost time, proving to be a great athlete.

He plays running back for his school's Football Team. He has a goal this year to have his name on the Athlete of the Year plaque that hangs in the school gym before he moves on to high school.

Photo by G Visuals on Unsplash
Photo by G Visuals on Unsplash
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Zachary works hard in all sports, but he loves Baseball the most.

Wyman plays Travel Ball for Upper Deck. He strives to be better every day. He focuses on attitude and being a Team Player. He was chosen in 2023 to compete in Raleigh, NC, to represent the Northwestern United States for the USA NTIS Baseball Team.

Zach is also a diligent student who consistently works hard to achieve good grades, earning a spot on the Honor Roll for multiple semesters. He has a big heart and is a positive inspiration to everyone around him. His nominator said, "We are very proud to nominate this young man."

Photo provided by Cari Larson/Google Maps
Photo provided by Cari Larson/Google Maps
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Billings' Week 3 MVP.

Congratulations to this week's Most Valuable Pupil, Tana Larson at Lockwood High. Larson excels at her studies and maintains a 4.3 GPA while participating in Student Council, BPA, Varsity Golf, Varsity Soccer, Varsity Basketball, and Varsity Track.

Tana volunteers at a local nursing home when time allows, and she values attending church at Harvest Church. Larson is a stand-out young lady who certainly deserves recognition. 

Photo courtesy TC Thompson, used with permission/Canva
Photo courtesy TC Thompson, used with permission/Canva
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Billings' Week 2  MVP: Korbin Thompson

Congratulations to our latest Most Valuable Pupil honoree, Korbin Thompson. Korbin is a Junior at Billings Skyview who overcame tragedy last year when he was involved in a terrible accident in the Heights.

Thompson's dad said they're incredibly grateful that their son not only survived the rollover, which resulted in fractured vertebrae, a broken shoulder blade, and being "scalped," but they're also proud of his resolve to overcome his injuries and remain positive.

Korbin loves photography, and you'll often see him on the sidelines and around the bleachers at local football and basketball games, as well as other school events, capturing moments with his camera.

Thompson hopes to pursue a career in photography or aviation, and we have no doubt he'll be able to accomplish whatever he dreams.

Credit Jenni Whisenhunt, used with permission
Credit Jenni Whisenhunt, used with permission
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Meet Week 1 MVP - Rory Whisenhunt

School is back in full swing across the Billings area, and we're excited to recognize our first Most Valuable Student of the season, Rory Whisenhunt. With our friends at Gerstner Adam Law, Rory is now qualified to win $1,000 at the end of the school year.

14-year-old Rory is a freshman at Billings Senior this year, and his mom notes that he is a strong leader in all of his classes and on the sports field. A positive attitude and drive make him an excellent student and a true inspiration to those around him.

He puts in the time and effort to excel in his studies and sports. Last year, at Will James Middle School, he was honored with the Presidential Award for earning straight A's throughout middle school. Rory loves school and learning, and spends many hours reading and practicing his cello.

Read More: Nominate a Billings Student MVP for a Chance at $1,000

Photo by Ivan Aleksic on Unsplash
Photo by Ivan Aleksic on Unsplash
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Beyond school and sports, Rory is a well-rounded individual.

Outside of academics, Whisenhunt has a part-time job mowing lawns and shoveling snow in the winter for neighbors who need help. He loves the outdoors and likes to spend time hiking, fishing, camping, and boating when possible.

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Rory also enjoys making model cars, including his latest favorites, a 1957 Chevy Bel Air and a Ford snowplow truck. Mom says he lifts those around him and always sees the positives in life's situations. His favorite subjects in school include Math, Science, English, and Engineering.

Credit Gerstner Adam Law
Credit Gerstner Adam Law
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Nominate your student for a chance to win.

By all accounts, Rory sounds like a fine young man, and we applaud his hard work and positive attitude.

If you know a student who deserves recognition, please nominate them HERE. Each week throughout the school year, one student will win a prize from our prize vault and will be entered into a drawing for the grand prize of $1,000 cash.

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