{"id":3539,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:58:11","latitude":45.98311019090414220045204274356365203857421875,"longitude":-112.4852306842149118892848491668701171875,"title":"Hillcrest Elementary School","subtitle":"","fullsize":"https://storyofbutte.org/files/fullsize/d78bfb7a29d26d64073f70883b8796ee.jpg","address":"","all_locations":[],"zoom":17,"creator":["Story of Butte"],"description":"Hillcrest Elementary was constructed in 1969 as the growing population on the “Flats” put demands on the existing schools. <br />\r\n<br />\r\nThe Hillcrest Hornets received their mascot after much debate with the 6th grade class. Unable to come to a conclusion on a mascot one of the “bigger” boys in class opened a window. A hornet flew in and stung the boy. The hornet caused a great deal of pain to which the principal, Mr. Sullivan, replied, “If a hornet can cause that much pain to a big kid, imagine how strong we would be if we adopted it for our mascot.” And so they became the Hillcrest Hornets.<br />\r\n<br />\r\nToday, Hillcrest boasts a volunteer force of over 200 people who in addition to many events and tasks throughout the year also put on the Annual Hillcrest Bazaar.<br />","sponsor":"Superfund Advisory and Redevelopment Trust Authority and The Foundation for Montana History","accessinfo":"","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":["<p><em>Where We Went to School, 1866-2015</em><strong>, </strong>Wilma Blewett Puich</p>"],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://storyofbutte.org/files/fullsize/d78bfb7a29d26d64073f70883b8796ee.jpg":{"id":5827,"mime-type":"image/png","title":"Hillcrest School, 1963-Present","description":"Wilma Puich","thumbnail":"https://storyofbutte.org/files/square_thumbnails/d78bfb7a29d26d64073f70883b8796ee.jpg"}}}