Montana

Billings students transform prejudice into pride • Daily Montanan

Published

2 years ago

June 6, 2024

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Billings students transform prejudice into pride • Daily Montanan

Ysabelle Ruiz told classmates that her name was Bella Smith.

That was just easier.

It was easier not to explain the spelling of her name (yes, it begins with a Y, followed by an S).

It helped avoid conversations about the last name Ruiz, too. Those things often led to a conversation about her Mexican heritage and some of the associated hostility that goes along with that.

And her experiences weren’t so different than those of her fellow students who gathered before the unveiling ceremony at Billings’ South Park on Saturday.

They all told similar stories of students and residents making snide comments.

Of the five students, all said that someone has threatened to call Immigration Services on them. Several had been told the border wall at the southern U.S. border is meant for them.

However, on Saturday, students gathered to offer a different perspective to the community, including on the south side of Billings, which has been home to Hispanic families for more than a century. They literally put their mark on South Park, a popular gathering place. The students of Raza Unida, or united race in Spanish, created a mural that depicts Our Lady of Gudalupe with symbols that represent the experience of Chicanos and Latinos in Billings.

Raza Unida is a club in Billings Public Schools meant to showcase the diversity and culture of Hispanic students.

Billings, which is Montana’s largest city, is home to a large Hispanic community and celebrates the state’s oldest Hispanic cultural celebration and fiesta, dating back more than a century. Still, despite its history, these students talk about either being invisible, or even worse, targeted as “illegals” or lumped into a category of “Mexicans.”

The group hopes that creating the mural, which was brought to life through the painting of south Billings resident Elyssa Leininger, that people will see the depth of the Hispanic culture, which spans the western hemisphere. Even though Leininger said she’d never created a mural of Hispanic culture and is not a Latina, she grew up and still lives on the south side of Billings and said it was about creating more community in her neighborhood.

That’s the same for Alyssia Nava, the organizer of Raza Unida, who is part of the support staff at Billings Public Schools. She originally formed the group when she was a student to raise awareness and understanding, and restarted the group recently. Skyview High teacher Brooke Stone stepped in to become the advisor, saying even though she was not Hispanic, there was no way she’d let the group disappear because other teachers didn’t take an interest.

“It’s empowering for them to show their heritage and for other students, it helps them understand,” Stone said.

Billings Public School Superintendent Erwin Garcia-Velasquez, himself an immigrant from Colombia, was there to celebrate the moment and support the students on the day after school concluded for the year.

“It feels right that our students should have this,” he said.

Nava said the mural is a good first step for all students, and that even those who are unfamiliar with Hispanic cultures can begin a conversation.

“It’s truly been amazing to hear that they have the same passion. We stand by our Chicano and Latinos who are the future of this nation,” she said. “The more recognition we can get, the easier it will be for them to be OK as a Mexican-American or a Puerto Rican. We have done a great job with Indian Education for All, now it will be easier to get somewhere with this.”

Our Lady of Gudalupe holds particular importance because it symbolizes peace and transcends one particular country or identity. Flags from countries both in Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean, border the mural, and other symbols from Montana are incorporated into it just as the students have become part of the Billings community, the students said.

The students said that they wanted to choose a place in South Park because that’s traditionally been home to Hispanic families. They said they wanted to place the mural there as a symbol of pride, turning what is sometimes used as a putdown — being from the south side — to a point of pride.

Students (left to right) Larissa Guttierrez, Cecelia Aarness, Treyannah Lewis, Ysabelle Ruiz and Adrian Williams are part of Raza Unida of Billings Public Schools. They came together to create the mural of Our Lady of Gudalupe for South Park in Billings, Montana (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

Ysabelle Ruiz and Adrian Williams talk about their experience creating a mural in South Park in Billings, and also about the hostility they sometimes encounter in the community being Hispanic (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

Father Jose Marquez of Mary Queen of Peace Roman Catholic parish blesses the mural of Our Lady of Gudalupe in South Park in Billings, Montana on June 1, 2024 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

Rev. Jose Marquez of Mary Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Congregation blesses the mural of Our Lady of Gudalupe in South Park in Billings, Montana at its dedication on June 1, 2024 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick).

The monarch butterfly, an important symbol in Mexican culture and for Hispanics living in Montana. The detail is part of the mural of Our Lady of Gudalupe in South Park in Billings, Montana at its dedication on June 1, 2024 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick).

A toddler touches the cactus bloom in the mural of Our Lady of Gudalupe in South Park in Billings, Montana at its dedication on June 1, 2024 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick).

Students unveil the mural by the public school club Raza Unida of Our Lady of Gudalupe in South Park in Billings, Montana on June 1, 2024 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).

A mariachi band plays to celebrate the dedication of the mural of Our Lady of Gudalupe at South Park in Billings, Montana on June 1, 2024 (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick).

“We wanted to expand people’s knowledge of Hispanic culture,” said Cecila Aarness.

For example, there is farming and sugar beets, a reference to the farmworkers who originally settled in northern Wyoming and throughout eastern Montana to work the back-breaking labor of tending and harvesting sugar beets.

Cecelia Aarness also pointed to the low-rider as something that demonstrates pride in an aspect uniquely Hispanic.

Ruiz explained the importance of the monarch butterflies to Mexicans in Montana — they journey from Mexico back to Montana, and have come to symbolize the spiritual connection between the two places and the generations who lived in both.

“This is a positive response to being called a ‘border hopper,’” Ruiz said. “Rather than just getting into an argument this is way to help form a positive reaction.”

Treyannah Lewis said including things like low-riders or Our Lady of Gudalupe is a way of claiming with pride the symbols of the culture, rather than downplaying them.

“This tells Hispanic people that they matter. It’s a big deal,” Lewis said.

Aarness said that most people associate Our Lady of Gudalupe with the ubiquitous candles used in many Roman Catholic homes.

“This brings her outside, into the world. It’s a main representation in Hispanic culture,” Aarness said. “This brings her outside, into the light.”

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Montana

Oregon women earn 11th victory with win over Montana State

Published

9 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

Oregon women earn 11th victory with win over Montana State

Oregon women’s basketball moved to 11-1 following a 69-44 win over Montana State Sunday at Matthew Knight Arena.

Four of Oregon’s starters scored in double figures, led by guard Sofia Bell’s 15 points.

Mia Jacobs added 13 points and 10 rebounds. Katie Fiso and Ari Long each scored 10 points. Fiso added five assists.

Oregon (11-1) struggled shooting, hitting 19 of 58 field goal attempts (32.8%), including 9 of 31 from three-point range (29%). However, those numbers were mainly dragged down in the fourth quarter when the game was well in hand.

Oregon, which led 37-14 at halftime, shot just 22.2% from the field in the final quarter and missed all seven of its three-point attempts. MSU won the quarter 16-11.

Bell went 4 of 8 from long distance, Jacobs went 3 of 8 and Long made both of her three-point attempts. The rest of the team went 0-for-13.

Montana State (6-3) received 14 points and four rebounds from Jamison Philip. The Bobcats shot 1 of 19 from three-point range and committed 23 turnovers that the Ducks converted into 25 points.

Next up: The Ducks host Portland (7-4) at 11 a.m. on Thursday. The Pilots defeated Kent State 88-78 on Sunday.

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Montana

FCS playoffs roundup: There will be an all-Montana semifinal in the FCS playoffs

Published

21 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

FCS playoffs roundup: There will be an all-Montana semifinal in the FCS playoffs

MISSOULA, Mont. — The No. 3-seeded Montana Grizzlies proved too much to handle on Saturday afternoon, overwhelming the No. 11-seeded South Dakota Coyotes 52-22 in the FCS playoff quarterfinals at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

The Griz used the home crowd to their advantage in an all-around dominant performance in all three phases of the game in front of a home crowd of 22,750 fans. The win sets up an all-Montana semifinal in the FCS playoffs as the Griz will go to face No. 2 Montana State on Dec. 20 for a trip to the national championship.

Montana’s Keali’i Ah Yat had 305 yards and three passing scores, as Michael Wortham had 11 catches for 201 yards and two receiving touchdowns, as well as 43 rushing yards and a score.

All told, the Coyotes had 63 plays on offense for 351 total yards, but the 10 offensive penalties seemed to be a key difference in finding any consistency.

Montana State advances with decisive victory

BOZEMAN, Mont. — Montana State ran for 227 yards as the Bobcats dominated the third-ranked rush defense in the country en route to beating Stephen F. Austin 44-28 on Friday to advance to the FCS playoff semifinals.

Adam Jones finished with 117 yards and Julius Davis had 96 on the ground for Montana State, which jumped out to a 24-0 lead. Justin Lamson had 246 passing yards for the Bobcats.

Villanova holds down Tarleton State to advance

STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Villanova overcame a 14-0 deficit as the No. 12 Wildcats beat fourth-seeded Tarleton State 26-21 on Saturday.

It is the fourth time in program history and the first time since 2010 that ‘Nova advanced to the semifinals. The Wildcats held Tarleton State to 56 yards rushing and 266 total yards while racking up 426 overall on their own.

Ja’briel Mace had a 47-yard run to trim Tarleton State’s lead to 21-19 in the third quarter and Braden Reed hauled in an 11-yard TD pass in the fourth to complete the comeback.

Dawson runs Illinois State past UC Davis

DAVIS, Calif. — Victor Dawson carried 29 times for 148 yards and Tommy Rittenhouse threw a 93-yard TD pass as Illinois State beat UC-Davis 42-31 on Saturday, one week after the Redbirds upset North Dakota State in Fargo.

Rittenhouse finished 15 of 20 for 266 yards and three touchdowns and one interception. Daniel Sobkowicz had six receptions for 150 yards and two scores.

Davis quarterback Caden Pinnick was 24 of 41 for 402 yards with three touchdowns and a pick.

Trey Houchin of the Mitchell Republic contributed to this report.

Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.

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Montana

Montana Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Dec. 13, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 13, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

01-28-31-57-58, Powerball: 16, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

12-18-19-24-35, Lucky Ball: 17

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto America numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

20-26-27-32-46, Star Ball: 08, ASB: 02

Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

04-06-11-31, Bonus: 09

Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Montana Cash numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

01-16-18-31-37

Check Montana Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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