Butte Central Honors Dedication, Legacy, and Service at 2026 Awards Ceremony

BUTTE, Mont. — The Butte Central Catholic School System celebrated National Catholic Schools Week by honoring the individuals and families who form the backbone of the Maroon community. During the 2026 Awards & Dedication Ceremony, hosted at the Maroon Activities Center (MAC), school officials recognized a distinguished group of alumni, volunteers, and benefactors for their unwavering commitment to Catholic education.

Don Peoples opened the evening by welcoming the community and setting the tone for a night of gratitude.

“This evening becomes a great opportunity to honor the proud traditions of Butte Central and to express our heartfelt thanks to those who have demonstrated their faith in Catholic education,” Peoples said. “Through this faith, a bright future awaits our schools.”

Following an opening prayer by Student Council President Molly Peck, the ceremony highlighted several major categories of service and achievement.

Cote Volunteerism Award Nine individuals received the Cote Volunteerism Award, established in 1989 in honor of Harp and Esther Cote. The award recognizes those who work behind the scenes to make school operations and athletics possible.

• Shane Sutton, Kyle McIntyre, and Scott Mansanti were honored for their collective work designing training programs and fostering competitive standards for student-athletes.

  
  

• Stephanie Forbes, Cindy McCarthy, Jane Konen, and Julie Leverton were recognized for their service running the MAC Center concessions, a vital revenue source and service for the facility.

  
  

• Shannon Moodry was celebrated for her years of service at the scorer’s bench for volleyball and basketball, as well as her support of track meets.

  
  

• Penni Stevens was honored for her reliability and dedication in staffing events and taking tickets at the MAC.

  
  

Distinguished Graduate Awards The event highlighted the success of Butte Central alumni who exemplify the values of a Catholic education in their professional and personal lives. Two graduates were honored this year:

• Jordan (Kambich) McIntyre (Class of 2005): A former collegiate athlete and current nurse in a local cardiology clinic, McIntyre was recognized for her service to patients and her dedication as a volunteer coach at Butte Central Junior High.

  
  

• Theodore “Teddy” Bartoletti (Class of 2002): A neuroscientist with a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Bartoletti was honored for his contributions to science, including research on neural processing. He currently serves as a process scientist at Resodyn and a clinical laboratory scientist for CCCS.

  
  

Pat Dudley Memorial Award Established in honor of the late School Board Chair Pat Dudley, this award recognizes families that have helped continue the legacy of the school system.

• Mike and Kay Bartoletti were recognized for decades of support, including volunteering during the construction of the Marie O’Brien MacLeod classroom addition and the MAC.

  
  

• Kyle and Teran McGree were honored for their leadership, particularly Teran’s four years as Chair of the Butte Central Auction and Kyle’s service on the Education Foundation board.

  
  

• Guy and Madeline Ossello received the award for their historical impact, having been original members of the Parents Club in the 1970s and instrumental in forming the Butte Central Education Foundation.

  
  

Walsh Benefactor’s Award

The evening also recognized those who have provided the financial stability necessary for the schools to flourish. The Walsh Benefactor’s Award was presented to Dick and Carolyn O’Leary, Bill and Kate Hollow, Mike Thatcher (CCCS), Bob and Cindy Carlson, the Steele Family, and the Estate of JoAnn Spolar.

Endowment Dedication Brendan McDonough led the dedication of five new endowments, including the Urban and Donna Roth Memorial Scholarship. Since its inception in 1989, the Memorial Endowment Program has seen 160 families and classes establish funds to support faculty chairs, scholarships, and school operations.

The ceremony concluded with a final word of thanks to the awardees, whose tireless efforts ensure that the traditions of Butte Central Catholic Schools will continue for generations to come.