(BSSG media release)
BILLINGS – The Big Sky State Games has selected Hannah Hirschi of Skyview High School, Devin Amtmann of Butte High School, Shea Dolan of Billings West High School, Loran Murphy of Huntley Project High School, and Karter Bernhardt of Billings West High School as the recipients of the 2018 Big Sky State Games Character Counts! Scholarship. The $500 scholarship winners will be recognized at the 33rd Annual Big Sky State Games Opening Ceremonies event Friday, July 20.
This year a fifth scholarship was added to be awarded in memory of BSSG Board Member Emeritus, Olympian and Montana’s First Female Governor- Judy Martz. The winners were selected based on their character, community involvement, and participation in sports. Character Counts! promotes sportsmanship and fosters good character by teaching, enforcing, advocating, and modeling, the “Six Pillars of Character”: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship
High school juniors during the 2017-2018 school year were eligible to apply for the scholarship. Selecting students who are finishing their junior year in high school ensures that the winners may be observed as role models during their senior year.
Hannah Hirschi has competed in the Big Sky State Games for six years in Triathlon and four Swimming from 2016-2018, and Track and Field in 2016. She is a 9-time All State track and field athlete. Hannah’s volunteer work has included volunteering at the Billings Clinic since the eighth grade where she works in the cardiac rehab center. She also volunteers for Run For Heaven’s Sake.
Devin Amtmann has participated in Big Sky State Games Swimming for nine years, Judo for nine years, and Triathlon for one year. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Science National Honor Society. Devin participates in high school volleyball, swimming, tennis and softball. She has earned Academic All-State in tennis for one year, swimming for three years, and volleyball for one year. Devin volunteers for the Special Olympics, the Butte Judo Club, the local Food Bank and as a tutor in her high school.
Shea Dolan is a three year Big Sky State Games participant in both Basketball and Track and Field. She also has been a volunteer for the Opening Ceremonies for three years helping the Billings Clinic. Shea is involved in a variety of service projects and student clubs including: Key Club, Spanish Club, and National Honor Society. Some of her most notable accomplishments have been earning the YMCA Principal’s Youth Leadership Award twice, receiving the Principal’s Award at West High School, and was selected for the Winning with Integrity Program (WIP). She was also invited to the National Student Leadership Conference in 2017 & 2018. Shea has earned Academic All State in both varsity basketball and softball every year since her freshman year.
Loran Murphy has participated in Big Sky State Games Volleyball for four years and Basketball for two years. She is involved in volleyball, basketball and track and field at Huntley Project High School. Loran is a representative for 4-H where she was Historian for two years, Vice President for two years and President for one year. She was awarded the Willingness to Help Award for three years. Loran has earned Academic All-State in volleyball for three years, basketball for three years and track and field for two years. She helped lead her volleyball team to State Championship in 2017.
Karter Bernhardt has participated in Big Sky State Games Dance Sport State for nine years, almost as long as his ten years of clogging. He has earned multiple State Games medals and Overall High Point honors. In high school he participated in football for one year and track and field for two years. Karter has a 4.60 GPA and is in the West High School Platinum Program. In 2010, he was named the Billings Studio Theatre Debut Actor of the Year. He participates in Student Council serving as Secretary, Academic Bowl, Science Bowl as a captain, Symphonic Band, and Environmental Club. Karter’s volunteer experience includes: Billings Youth Leadership Council, many local dance performances including Relay For Life, MT Fair, and Springfest.
