OUR MISSION & VISION
Preserving the Legacy of the Bison
Our mission is to preserve and celebrate the storied legacy of Great Falls High School by bridging the gap between generations of alumni. We strive to create a vibrant network that honors our past achievements while fostering meaningful connections among all who have walked these hallowed halls.
We envision an ever-growing community of Bison alumni dedicated to inspiring current and future students through shared values and mentorship. By sustaining the Alumni Legacy for years to come, we ensure our tradition of excellence remains a cornerstone of the Great Falls community and beyond.
The Work of the Association
Since its founding in 1890, Great Falls High School has stood as a beacon of academic excellence and civic pride. The journey through the decades reflects a steadfast commitment to tradition, innovation, and the enduring legacy of our alumni. From its early days of modest beginnings to the current status as a premier institution, Great Falls High School has navigated the changing landscape of education with grace and purpose. The Great Falls High School Legacy Alumni Association seeks to recognize and celebrate the storied tradition of excellence found within our alumni.
Inspire
Through the preservation and honoring of alumni, these different events and displays will inspire and motivate current and future Bison to make their own positive impact in the world.
We plan to establish an endowment for scholarships that support future generations of GFHS Legacy Alumni.
Honor
From our donors' generous contributions, the Association honors alumni in the following ways:
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Hosting an annual GFHS Legacy Alumni induction ceremony
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Displaying inducted Legacy Alumni distinguished member's plaques
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Constructing display areas around GFHS
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Maintaining a website of information for each inducted member
Preserve
The generous contributions of our donors help preserve the rich history of Great Falls High School by covering the expenses involved in conservation in the following ways:
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Cataloging 100+ years of print media and artifacts
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Digitizing paper records, including news articles and other artifacts
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Displaying the information through touchscreen kiosks
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Maintaining a database of records
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Constructing display cases for preservation of historical GFHS artifacts
Our Board
President
Amy Kuntz '89
A proud graduate of Great Falls High School, Amy attended the University of Montana on a track scholarship and earned her bachelor's degree in K-8 education in 1992 followed by a master’s degree in reading and literacy in 1995. Over a rewarding 32-year career, she taught in Lakeside, MT, and Great Falls Public Schools, specializing in everything from elementary grades and behavior support to middle school math and instructional coaching. Amy's commitment to excellence in the classroom culminated in earning National Board Certification in Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood in 2011. Following her retirement in 2026, she now enjoys spending time with her two sons in Dillon and Utah and her favorite companion, a perfect three-legged Yorkie-Poo named Tuff.
Vice President
Paul Culbertson '80
Paul is an associate principal at Great Falls High School. It only took him 24 years to come back to his alma mater, and he has been in the district now 22 years. He has decades of experience in public education, beginning his career as a high school math teacher before transitioning into various leadership roles across multiple school districts. He is deeply engaged with the local community, having advocated for the school's state-of-the-art career and technical education facilities. Culbertson holds advanced degrees in educational administration, reinforcing his lifelong commitment to fostering a positive learning environment.
Treasurer
Doug Deffe '84
Born and raised in Great Falls, Doug graduated with honors from Montana State University (GO CATS!) in 1989 with a BA English. He received his Masters in International Relations from Troy State University in 2004. After having taught at Joplin Inverness and Augusta high schools, he joined the GFHS faculty in 1997 as an English teacher, later becoming a librarian before retiring in 2026. He has also been on the Region 4 FWP Citizens Advisory Committee, the 4-H Leader All American Club, and a board member with the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Association. He is husband to Katy, father to Ashley, grandfather to Keeley, and owner of a yellow lab, Remington.
Secretary: TBD
Bio
Board Members
Keaton Brady '15
Chad Getten '91
Geff Habel
Hoppy Hopkins '94
Heather Huston
Zack Ringler '07
Anne Schmidt '91
Scott Smart