Houston school hosts joint chamber meeting

JODI SNYDER /For the Frontiersman

HOUSTON -- On May 20, representatives of three area chambers of commerce and several local schools met at Houston Middle School for the annual Big Lake, Houston and Willow Joint Chambers of Commerce Meeting.

Andy Murr, principal of Houston Middle School, gave an overview of the school's first year as a middle school. Despite some planning issues, it was a successful year for the school, Murr said, and they were able to add several new programs, including the "Make Your Day" citizenship program, and a "Follow the Leaders" program.

Mike Vrvilo, principal of Houston High School, also talked about the first year in the new high school. Students had more course offerings in the new school, and current student-teacher ratios are 19 to 1, he said. With nearly 400 students, the high school is now fully functioning. "It's been a nice transition," Vrvilo said.

Jamie Smith, athletics director for the high school, discussed the sports programs. He said the school plans to "turn it up a notch next year" as they continue to move toward becoming a 4A school. "We'll probably be 3A for another one to two years," he said, until enrollment tops 400 students.

Representatives of the chambers each gave a brief update on the activities of their organizations.

Angela Rosas of the Houston Chamber mentioned a recently passed bill, House Bill 275, that requires a police officer to respond to charges of animal cruelty, which the chamber and the city of Houston administration does not agree with. Houston Mayor Dale Adams was present and also addressed the issue, saying it was important that the regulation be changed to include animal control officers, adding that waiting on a state trooper to respond to an animal cruelty call in Houston would take too long.

Rosas also discussed Houston Chamber plans to create a small visitors center, and reminded people that the Houston campground was now open. She encouraged local participation in the annual Houston Founders Day Celebration, scheduled for mid-August.

Jim Huston of the Willow Chamber announced that two area high school seniors were awarded scholarships by the chamber. Houston High School student Colton Conner and Susitna Valley High School student Mary Pilch each received $1,000 to use for college expenses through the Willow organization.

Huston also mentioned that Willow Chamber is looking into designating a portion of the Parks Highway as a scenic highway corridor, and that the group has applied for grants to put up signage in the community.

Marguerite Bogert, president of the Big Lake Chamber, unfurled a "giant check" in the amount of $1,000 and presented it to James Frost, winner of the 2004 Big Lake Ice Classic. The Ice Classic is sponsored by Houston Middle School and the Big Lake Chamber. Frost, a student at Houston High School, picked the time closest to the actual recorded time that the ice went out on Big Lake this spring. He said the money will be used for college.

Other events mentioned by Bogert and Randi Perlman of the Big Lake Chamber included the Americorps crew currently working in Big Lake on the Jordan Lake project, and the upcoming Mat-Su Borough 40-year celebration at Big Lake Library on June 17.

Big Lake Chamber president-elect John Stinson discussed creating a model student chamber, to get kids involved in the community. Big Lake Chamber plans to work with the students to set up a program at Houston High next year.

Lunch was prepared and served by Houston Middle School National Junior Honor Society students, with help from the special education class of Diane Morris. Laura Herman was one of the nine honor society students who participated.

"We did this as a community service project," she said, "which is a big part of the National Junior Honor Society." While the students did not select the menu of lasagna, salad, bread and brownies, Herman said they did prepare the food, set the tables, serve the guests and clean up after the event.