House named 64th First Lady
Whitefish’s 64th First Lady is involved
with more student-based organizations and projects than she can
count on 10 fingers.
Deb House, former president of
Whitefish’s Parent Teacher Association, was selected as the honoree
through a vote by a handful of former First Ladies. The Beta Sigma
Phi sorority has sponsored the annual award since 1947.
The award honors women who devote
extraordinary amounts of time and energy to the community. The
First Lady of Whitefish committee noted House’s participation in
services for Whitefish youth and the community at large.
Along with working with the PTA and as
a coordinator with the Education Foundation, House has been
involved with Bulldog Boosters, mentoring, Whitefish CARE, High
Five, Adopt an Instrument, PEO, the Rotary Club, Project Whitefish
Kids, American Cancer Society and First Presbyterian Church. She
also was the co-chair of the Whitefish Middle School paver project
and was a Central School bond committee member.
“It’s my calling to be involved,” House
told the Pilot. “I have this God-given love for kids, and to be a
small part of any kind of event that benefits kids in the long run
— I’m in.”
She says it’s an enormous honor to be
named First Lady.
“I’m humbled,” she said. “I’m just
humbled, that’s the only word to use. I can’t believe it.”
When House and her husband, Whitefish
school superintendent Jerry House, moved here 11 years ago, she
almost immediately was asked to be president of PTA. The biggest
job was fundraising expertise, which House brought to the table.
She was involved with Springhetti at Muldown, Reflections, Arts in
April, parenting classes, golf tournaments, Sally Foster’s and
more.
As the fundraising coordinator for the
Education Foundation, House created the High Five Project, which
brings grants to classrooms in the district each year. Last year,
the project earned more than $23,000. But the volunteering she’s
most proud of comes from mentoring.
“My greatest gift has been mentoring a
terrific student that I have been with for three years,” House
noted. “It’s so rewarding and fun. We have a great friendship, and
we both learn so much from each other.”
When her husband retires later this
year, House says she’ll step away from many of the school-related
projects she’s currently leading.
“I want to give the new superintendent
space,” she said. “I’ll be involved with the community in some
capacity, but I’ll cut strings with the school. I’ll cry buckets
though. It’ll be bitter sweet. The great friendships I’ve made
along the way working on behalf of the school have been
overwhelming.”
For now, however, House still works on
High Five projects, will help select Helen Malloy scholarship
recipients, will help with the Project Whitefish Kids auction, and
she continues to mentor and serve at her church.
House will be honored at the First Lady
luncheon on Saturday, May 7, at noon at the Moose Lodge in
Whitefish.
Tickets are on sale at the Whitefish
Credit Union. See Diane Gideon downstairs at the Credit Union for
tickets.