Honors at Prairie; Columbian profiles Heather Corral

Left: No. 1 Falcon fan Chuck Thurman and members of the state 3A girls basketball
championship team. Right: Ralphie Montgomery and Falcon mascot Bayley Dolph.

There were plenty of cheers and tears at Prairie High on March 9.

It was an awards assembly in which the marquee event (but not the most emotional) was recognition of the state 3A girls basketball championship team and Coach Al Aldridge. Also cheered -- by the team and student body -- was Chuck Thurman, the Falcons’ No. 1 fan who never misses a home game. Thruman, who has volunteered as an assistant tennis coach at PHS for 17 years, turns 90 on March 17. The students sang a rousing “Happy Birthday” to the humble gentleman.

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Columbian profiles UW-bound Heather Corral. Click here.
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Also honored at the PHS event was Chris Burt, a PHS secretary who is transferring to a job in the technical services department at the school district office.

The applause (standing ovation by the students), cheers and tears were especially evident for Ralphie (she’s not saying her real first name) Montgomery. Ralphie, who was moved to tears by the outpouring of affection and respect, has been at PHS for 21 years, all but about a year and a half in campus security. She is transferring to the school district’s grounds crew.

Prairie High Principal Jason Perrins congratulates state 3A girls basketball champions.

Falcon mascot and Perrins flank school secretary Chris Burt,
who is transferring to the district office.