Glasgow High School Educational Trust Announces On-Going Naming Opportunity in Memory of Brenna Billingsley Sundby and Recent Awards

The Glasgow High School Educational Trust (GHSET) is pleased to announce a new on-going naming opportunity in memory of Brenna Billingsley Sundby and recently awarded gifts to Glasgow High School graduates and to Glasgow High School (GHS).

The Barry and Martha Billingsley Family chose to memorialize their daughter and sister, Brenna Billingsley Sundby, with a gift to the Glasgow High School Educational Trust. Their donation, in addition to other donations from family and friends, has surpassed the $10,000 donation level needed to create an ongoing naming opportunity.

Brenna was born to Barry and Martha Jurich Billingsley in 1976. Brenna was raised on the Billingsley Ranch, attended Glasgow public schools, and graduated from Glasgow High School in 1994. During her high school years, Brenna participated in extracurricular activities and excelled in the classroom. Brenna’s love of learning led her to become an ardent educator.

Brenna pursued her higher education at both MSU Northern, Havre and the University of Montana, Missoula. Brenna married Wade Sundby in 1999. Brenna and Wade started their teaching careers in New Mexico but quickly returned home to Montana. Brenna and Wade’s teaching and administrative jobs took them to various rural Montana towns. Brenna was an inspiring, enthusiastic educator. Brenna developed lifelong friendships with many neighbors, fellow teachers, and students. Brenna and Wade returned to Glasgow, where Brenna continued her teaching career until she was no longer able. Brenna passed away on September 26, 2020. The first ongoing naming opportunity in memory of Brenna was awarded to Elle Stone for the 2026 spring semester.

Brenna’s love of life and teaching will be celebrated with every gift that is awarded to a Glasgow High School alumnus or to Glasgow High School in her name.

The GHSET recently awarded financial aid to nineteen GHS graduates who are returning to college this fall. They attend thirteen different colleges in seven different states, with varied fields of study. The gifts awarded were for the fall 2026 semester and the spring 2027 semester. Gifts ranged from $4,000 per year to $7,000 per year. Financial need has always been a primary consideration; therefore, the trust has established levels of support to meet students’ differing needs. The total amount given to students at the July 21, 2026, semi-annual business meeting was $113,000.

Since the GHSET’s inception in 1964, the GHSET has awarded over 2,780 gifts to over 820 GHS alumni, totaling over $3.3 million.

All GHS alumni who are attending an accredited trade school or college full-time within the United States, either on campus or online and are in good academic standing are considered if they meet the eligibility criteria and complete the application properly. The trust’s website lists the application requirements, along with the application, and other information, at ghsedutrust.org. Applications will not be considered if they are late or if the directions have not been followed. Awards are to be used only for tuition, books, and fees.

The next application deadline is October 15, 2026, when gifts for the spring 2027 semester will be considered.

In addition to financial aid given to alumni, the GHSET also purchases equipment and other needed materials, which cannot be purchased through traditional taxpayer funding, for GHS. Every department of the high school is encouraged to submit their requests, and throughout the years, every department has received a gift from the trust. To date, 136 gifts have been given to GHS, totaling over $350,000.

At its recent meeting, the trust awarded financial support to the following students, in memory (IMO), in honor (IHO) or in recognition (IRO) of the individual(s) whose name(s) follow theirs:

First time recipients:

Brynn Donaldson, Lawrence University, IMO LJ & Jean Baker, fall semester and IMO Ardis Parke Fuhrman, spring semester.

Riley Evenson-Glasoe, Dickinson State University, IRO Ione & Phyllis Kleppin, fall semester and IMO Gary & Idella Mott, spring semester.

Abigail Kulczyk, Boise State University, IMO Leslie L, Lillian, and Mary Margarette Hanson, fall semester and IMO Verda Hoffarth Stewart, spring semester.

Macy Martin, Carroll College, IMO Jenny Bell Cunneen, fall semester and IMO Leonard H & Kathryn L Langen, spring semester.

Laynee Simpson, Waldorf University, IMO Phyllis Moen Sanguine, fall semester and IMO Harry Rybock, spring semester.

Nicolas Solorzano, Montana State University, IMO Ivy & Millie Knight, fall semester and IHO Everett & Elizabeth Breigenzer, spring semester.

Myles Yoakam, Duke University, IMO Mitchel “Mitch” Etchart, fall semester and IHO Beryl Pehlke, spring semester.

Second time recipients:

Mary Dykema, Montana State University, IMO Lois Wilson Markle, fall semester and IMO Audrey & Arthur Parke, spring semester.

Eli Feezell, Grand Canyon University, IMO Myrtice “Myrt” Dale Bamford, fall semester/IHO Sever & Esther Enkerud, spring semester.

Connor Hudyma, MSU Northern, IMO Richard “Dick” & Mary Lou Alley Wagenhals, fall semester/IMO Dillon Cassell, spring semester.

Emmah Mix, ND State University, IMO Julie Knight Swanson, fall semester/IRO Tom & Flora Coghlan Family, spring semester.

Tatum Nyquist, Montana State University, IHO Gayle Wagenhals Sage, fall semester/IHO Bill & Peggy Pattison, spring semester.

Elle Stone, Southern Oregon University, IRO 1966 Scholarship Gift to Karen Anne Swenson, fall semester/IMO Harold H & Irene W Smith, spring semester.

Eve Stone, Southern Oregon University, IRO Herb & Lucille Friedl Family, fall semester/IMO Lila Moen Sanders & IHO Phyllis Moen Sanguine, spring semester.

Third time recipients:

Mason Donaldson, University of Montana, IHO Jim & Ailene Dokken Olk Family, fall semester/IMO James A “Jim” Parke, spring semester.

Allie Palm, Montana Tech, IMO Ronald A Combs, fall semester/IMO Michael “Mike” Kaiser, spring semester.

Riley Smith, Montana Tech, IRO Stannebein Family, fall semester/IHO Dorothy Kolstad, spring semester.

Mason Swenson, University of Montana, IHO Carl Dix, fall semester/IMO John & Dolores Wesen, spring semester.

Emma Whitmer, University of Montana, IMO Karen D Newton, fall semester/IHO Charlotte Bruce, spring semester.

                  The trust also approved the purchase of the following equipment for Glasgow High School:

Library Circulation Desk, IMO Dean Rusher.

Listings of all student and GHS gifts are displayed at the Valley County Pioneer Museum and at Glasgow High School. The lists are updated at the end of each calendar year. We encourage everyone to take the time to look at the lists to see the full range of gifts given by the GHSET.

The GHSET is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, classified as a 509(a)(1) public charity. Donations to the trust are tax-deductible. Only the interest on the principal of the GHSET is gifted.

Donations to the trust that total $500 or more, cumulatively, in the name of a specific individual, organization, or event qualify for a one-time naming opportunity in honor, in memory, or in recognition of a specific name.

Donations of $10,000 or more cumulatively allow for an ongoing naming opportunity on a regular basis.

The GHSET is deeply grateful to its many donors, whose generosity makes the gifts of financial aid to our GHS alumni and to GHS possible. If you are interested in learning more about the Glasgow High School Educational Trust or in making a gift, please visit ghsedutrust.org for more information.