This page was created by Ben Plehal, the original webmaster of Cascade High School. Those of us who follow in Ben's footsteps just add to what was already there for us. For creating this page, the Cascade Chamber page, and teaching others how to continue with the page Ben recieved The Student Technology Leadership Award for high school students in 1996-97.

These words are from Mr. Kennedy the teacher of our Advanced Biology, and the person who nominated Ben Plehal for the Student Technology Leadership Award:

"I would like to nominate Ben Plehal for the Student Technology Leadership Award. Ben's technology and computer expertise extends far beyond the confines of the school and even the town; he has established himself as a respected computer resource in our region. Ben is called upon by teachers, students, community members, and even people outside our region for advice and assistance. His accomplishments include designing ads for local and regional businesses, creating brochures, posters, flyers, and tickets for local and school-related events, and even producing multi-media videos and presentations."

"Ben has used his talent to teach and oversee a handful of underclassmen who will continue his work. He has recently turned over many of his duties with the Cascade Chamber of Commerce web site to his sophomore partner who he has been training throughout the school year. Ben is also in the process of equipping two other sophomores with the necessary skills to maintain and expand the Advanced Biology web site so that they can take over next year. After Ben graduates, these understudies will be in charge of training new underclassmen who will keep both of these huge projects up-to-date."

The following are a few excerpts from the MultiMedia Schools magazine when they announced the winners of the Student Technology Leaders Award:

"MultiMedia Schools magazine today announced the winners of the third annual Student Technology Leaders Award, honoring students who have made exemplary and innovative use of information technology in their schools and communities."

"This competition is designed not only to acknowledge student technology leaders and their achievements, but also to provide a forum for the student's voices."

"Ben Plehal, a 12th-grader in Cascade High School in Cascade, Idaho, for his work in helping his rural town use technology to access resources and share information from around the world."

"12 th-grader Ben Plehal, who developed and now maintains the web page for his school district, the municipal government in his town, and several local businesses."

"Ben Plehal, 12th grade, Cascade High School, Cascade, Idaho: Growing up in a rural town, Ben knows how difficult it is to access resources and to share a community's story with the world. As a result, he has worked for several years to help the community maximize its resources and gain access to remote information and people. In addition to creating and maintaining the Chamber of Commerce's web site, he also developed a web-based tool which allows student researchers to share scientific test results of a new waste water treatment system with its founders. Ben's leadership allows diverse populations to collaborate and achieve more than they could possibly accomplish independently."