Since Sunburst began as a nonprofit in the Tobacco Valley, we’ve been committed to having a high school student serve on our Board. This helps our organization stay in touch with the community’s needs and interests. It also gives a young person the opportunity to take a leadership role. Ben Hughes is the current high school student who joined our Board of Directors in 2023. Ben is active with school sports, on the robotics team, and one of the talented students putting on Broadway musicals.
Other board members are Darlene Ruble, Becky Lihme and Rita Collins.
And the bright smile you often see at the Sunburst office or making announcements at concerts is Sunburst staff Ruth Richards-Schlarman. Ruth does a super job keeping the office well run, is a professional harpist, and works as a therapist. A remarkable person who adds so much to what Sunburst accomplishes.
Ellen Sullivan is chair of the Sunburst Board of Directors. A long time resident of the Tobacco Valley (Ellen and her husband Kirk moved to the area in 1993), Ellen has a commitment to and an understanding of this community. Asked about her favorite Sunburst program, Ellen would definitely say Missoula Children’s Theater. She also organizes the local National Audubon Christmas Bird Count for this valley through the Flathead Audubon Society.
Julia Higgins is one of our newer board members. From Germany, Julia recently settled in the Tobacco Valley to develop Eureka Tiny Homes with her husband. She is full of energy and always ready to make any Sunburst event even better.
Dave Leeman, secretary for the Sunburst Board of Directors, is one of our resident musicians. He does a great job encouraging Sunburst to provide services to the entire valley. This strengthened our programs in the Trego and Fortine schools and post offices. Besides his work with Sunburst, Dave is active with the Tobacco Valley Nordic Club, keeping members informed on skiing conditions and setting cross country ski trails.
Terry Brewer is our #1 number cruncher and does a great job as treasurer for Sunburst Arts and Education. She is also the chief cheerleader and organizer for our annual Rails-to-Trails fundraiser.
Volunteers!! Where would we be without the wonderful individuals who help Sunburst offer such an amazing array of programs and activities? Shout out to all who give support from selling tickets to making treats for the concession stand, to giving info out at events to hanging art in our monthly rotating art shows, to putting up posters for concerts to housing actors and musicians. THANK YOU!