One thing that typically gets overlooked in times of budget strife are the success stories going on under our noses.

As the Helena School District grapples with a potential $1 million shortfall for next year, at the same time the educators’ union is negotiating new contracts, it’s easy to point fingers at where those cuts should be made or where they shouldn’t.

Let’s point the fingers in a different direction, however, and highlight Monday night’s Celebration of Excellence banquet.

Each year for the past seven years, the Helena Education Foundation — such a positive force for enhancing education in our community — has honored almost 50 distinguished students, and the educators who most impacted them, for their meritorious work.

Read the whole story in the Independent Record.