Beth Mazanec, orchestra instructor at Capital and Helena high schools, was recently selected as Montana’s outstanding music educator by the National Federation of State High Schools.

The association was formed in 1978 and includes state associations from all 50 states. More than 20,000 high schools are represented in the association, including approximately 89 percent of the total senior high schools in the United States.

Mazanec has taught in Helena schools for 29 years and is retiring at the end of the year.