Hellgate wouldn’t be the same without its stellar group of experienced teachers. This year, our school is saying goodbye to a few of them. The Lance would like to thank these teachers for their contribution and dedication with a feature about their time at Hellgate and their next steps.
Over her past 11 years with Hellgate, Patricia Palin has taught various classes including Hospitality & Tourism, Food & Nutrition, Culinary Arts, Catering, Interior Design and more. At Hellgate, Palin is currently the only Family and Consumer Sciences teacher.
Beth Huguet has taught what appears to be almost every business class offered at Hellgate, including Accounting, Personal Finance, Computer Applications, and Intro to Business to name a few. She is also the Business Professionals of America (BPA) advisor for the Hellgate chapter. She began at Hellgate in 1988, left, returned in 1996 and has been with Hellgate ever since.
Last but not least, Darcy Hover is a science teacher with a healthy passion for nature who has taught Earth Science, Biology, Advanced Biology, and Wildlife Biology in her 32 years with the Hellgate community.
Q: What is your favorite part about the Hellgate community?
Palin: Students belong here. There are all types of clubs or groups you can join. Students use their voice in powerful ways here by helping each other and the community.
Huguet: How the community of students, parents, and teachers all come together to facilitate student knowledge growth and maturity.
Hover: Students, definitely. Every day is just so much fun to come in.
Q: What is your favorite memory from your time at Hellgate?
Palin: One chunk of time is when my sister was here working on the remodeling of Hellgate. However, there are lots of good memories, too many to list. Students completing cooking and baking labs, projects and the working together of groups. You see pride, camaraderie with shared accomplishments and that is very powerful.
Huguet: There are so many it is hard to pick just one. A big highlight was watching seniors for 14 years present their own learning and passions through Senior Projects. Also, traveling each year with the incredible BPA students to competitions—never a dull moment!
Hover: I don’t know if I have one favorite memory, but I would have to say… the years both my boys were at Hellgate were my favorite just because you’re so involved in all their activities and get to know all their friends.
Q: Where are you going next?
Palin: I am retiring and moving home to Whitefish, Montana. I have lots of DIY [projects] and volunteering at local animal shelters I want to do.
Huguet: I am retiring to play with my nine grandchildren, spend time with my own parents, and travel abroad with my family. Hoping to catch up on sleep, go to the bathroom when I want, and read that stack of books that is waiting for me. Nothing too extravagant—going to live my best life!
Hover: I am going into the wildlands of Montana. I’m truly retiring… I’m pretty passionate about nature and outdoor activities so it’s just time in my life to switch to my passions.
Hellgate thanks these wonderful teachers for their service to our school, and on behalf of everyone at the Lance, I’d like to wish Ms. Palin, Ms. Huguet, and Ms. Hover the best in the next chapter of their lives.
