Sandpoint Elks Lodge No. 1376 has announced students of the month for the first part of 2016 for the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

To be selected as an Elk’s student of the month, students must meet guidelines for character, citizenship, service, scholarship and leadership.

The Elks actively seek to reward youth through many different programs including scholarship awards, Hoop Shoot tournaments, dictionary donations to third graders, drug awareness programs and many other activities and programs.

Sandpoint Elks Lodge award thousands of dollars in scholarships and local students also received an additional money in state and national Elk scholarships. The Elks are the third largest awarder of scholarships in the county and several students have received large scholarships from the state and national level of Elks.

Among those honored were:

n Kent ‘Bear’ Youngdahl

Kent “Bear” Young-dahl has been named an Elks Student of the Month at Sand-point High School.

The son of Steve and Lauralee Youngdahl, the Sandpoint High School senior is ranked 57 in his class with a GPA of 3.629 and involved in many activities.

He was on the football team that went to the 2015 Milk Bowl state championship game that was held at the Kibbie Dome.

He is a member of the Sandpoint High School baseball team which he thinks has a great shot at going to state this year.

“I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for my supportive parents encouraging my to be the best I can in school,” Youngdahl said.

“Whether it involves academics or athletics they have always been there for me all four years of high school.”

n Sterling Healy

Sterling Healy has been named Student of the Month for Lake Pend Oreille High School for February.

A senior at Lake Pend Oreille High School, Healy will graduate in June.

The daughter of Denise Healy, she has earned honor roll status this year.

She has been involved with soccer her entire life, starting with Sandpoint Soccer Association and Strikers, leading to her success, lettering for the Sandpoint High School varsity girls soccer team.

She has embraced the local mountain community, participating in the Eart Day neighborhood cleanup and volunteering at the United Methodist Church community meals.

In addition, Healy has been involved with the senior class fundraising events.

After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in forensic science.

n Janice Marie Aylward

Janice Marie Aylward has been named a student of the month at Sandpoint High School for the month of February.

The daughter of James and Donnamarie Aylward, she is the girls’ throwing captain on the Sandpoint High School track and field team. Aylward also is the lead trombone player in the symphonic band at SHS, and served as the manager for the SHS cross country team.

She is part of the health occupations program at SHS and is well on her way to earning a certified nursing assistant license through the program.

n Isaac Nelson

The son of Adrienne Nelson and Vernon Nelson, the Sandpoint High School senior was named an Elks Student of the Month for February.

Outside of school, he participates in Boy Scout Troop 141 and some 4-H events with Beaver Creek Kritters 4-H club.

Nelson has earned his Eagle Scout badge through Boy Scouts and has done well in 4-H county and state competions.

He said he usually floats among the top 20 students in my class (recently 14th) and maintained a 4.0 GPA until this last semester where it was dropped to a 3.9.

“I kept myself very busy with school and work for most of my high school career,” Nelson said. “This final semester, however, I have chosen to focus only on school and scholarships, leaving the work for summertime.”