Name: Amanda Arguello

Cayuse Prairie Graduation Year: 1995

Class Size: 32

Activities at Cayuse Prairie: Mr. Bean basketball, Mrs. Creek girls lunch recess astronomy club, cross country, after school gymnastics, 6th grade spelling bee finalist, Grizzly base camp field studies camp out, Bitterroot Lake field trip, Mountain Brook stream studies, boys basketball scorekeeper, Trinity Lutheran boys basketball tourney concessions.

Their Best Memory from Cayuse Prairie: Having moved at the beginning of 5th grade from suburban Seattle to Cayuse, I had no idea how I would fit in. Our 6th and 7th grade class blossomed under Joan Creeks’ engaging and creative teaching style and Mr. Bean had the biggest heart under his intimidating coaching style, making me appreciate his love for the game and helping us understand our resilience through many years of Big Sky state game competition. So many amazing staff members that have carried in such a special legacy over the years and after moving back to the area over 8 years ago, and getting to watch sporting events in the “new” gym and remembering how my very first basket was a free throw that probably looked like an impossible feat for my scrawny self at the time, but the cheer that came out of Mr Bean, when I made it was probably my greatest memory!

Their Favorite Teacher: Joan Creek inspired so many of us to be creative and motivated to always push ourselves inside and outside the classroom. She was a strong female figure that is still an active presence in my life and truly cares about every soul she’s touched.

High School Graduation Year: 1999

Attended High School at: Flathead

What They Did After High School: Carroll College - Pre-med Biology program Transferred to MSU - Bozeman mid-semester sophomore year (continued Pre-med Bio) Transferred to Central WA to finish with Biology degree Worked Wildland firefighting initial attack hand crew for 3 seasons, travelled to Australia and New Zealand, then got a software gig for a few years, back to school for Interior Design at Art Institute of Seattle (had to apply my Mrs. Creek creativity for several years), then back to software online training development last 10 years (remotely).

Where They are Living Now: Creston

What They are Doing Now: Raising a 4 year old daughter with a former Cayuse classmate, and enjoying all outdoor activities the valley has to offer. Skiing, gardening, hunting, fishing, climbing, camping, coaching T-ball and being a dance mom with a former Flathead softball alum, and enjoying sunrise and sunset views.

Cayuse Prairie Impact: I found a “tribe” being a Mustang, having amazing teachers and coaches, and we all hold our time there as very special and even magical that we were lucky enough to have those experiences together. That yellow building will always hold a piece of my heart, and driving by it so frequently puts my mind in a happy place of cherished memories.

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