KELLOGG — The Dare to Imagine Coalition (DTIC) in conjunction with the Valley Volunteers held its third annual volunteer appreciation dinner at the Kellogg School District Community Center.

Unlike previous editions of the dinner where it was community members who were recognized for their volunteer efforts, they instead went out of their way to honor local high school students from the three surrounding school districts who have given back to their communities.

Mullan High School students Riley Trogden and Emily Dykes, Wallace Jr./Sr. High School students Will Farkas, Maggie Howard and John Webb, as well as Kellogg High School students Chloe Wilbur, Sierra Keele and Grant Turner were the honorees at the event.

“The evening was a tribute to our young volunteers who were recognized for their volunteerism in their schools and communities,” said Nancy Larsen, Kellogg School District superintendent. “Each principal recognized their students for being those kids that when they needed something done, they could depend on those recognized to volunteer and do the job well.”

Following the honoring of the students, Brandi Ries spoke about the importance of being involved in local community and encouraged everyone, including the honorees, to stay involved.

“Brandi Ries was an inspiration to our recognized high schoolers,” Larsen said. “She encouraged them to continue volunteering because through it, they can shape their futures and be fulfilled while doing so.”

In 2014, the three Silver Valley school districts partnered with the Silver Valley Ministerial Association and the Dare to Imagine Coalition was created.

DTIC brought the valley school districts, community members, organizations, businesses and churches together to provide a variety of supports to the children of our community.

One of DTIC roles is to identify volunteers, provide a summer enrichment camp for students and promote volunteerism.

Beside putting on an annual free youth summer camp, in October 2016, DTIC was also involved with the Silver Valley Day of Hope.

More information on the Valley Volunteers can be found at valleyvolunteers.kelloggschools.org. To volunteer, please email Shayleen Jerome at shayleen.jerome@kelloggschools.org or visit their office at the Kellogg School District Community Center in the former art room.