Local high school seniors received over $206,000 in scholarships thanks to local donations from nonprofits, businesses and individuals, including over $55,000 for students at Clark Fork High School.

Scholarships were fundraised from a wide range of local contributors, including Lake Pend Oreille School District bus drivers, Community Assistance League, memorial scholarships and many others.

“It is stunning how generous our community is to help our students go on,” said Jeralyn Mire, a postsecondary transition counselor at Sandpoint High School. “When [people] buy a raffle ticket or shop at Bazaar Bazaar, it makes a difference.”

The scholarship funds will go to support a wide range of students and goals, Mire said. Some students will be attending universities to pursue careers ranging from nursing and teaching to math, science and business.

Others are pursuing trades, and unique professions including farrier training to shoe and care for horses’ hooves, pet grooming, diesel technicians and electrical apprenticeships.

Caitlyn Smith, a senior from SHS and scholarship recipient, said her scholarship will help her in attending the University of Montana this fall to start earning her degree in wildlife biology.

"I am so grateful for the generosity that our community has shown the seniors this year by the numerous scholarships that were awarded to myself and my fellow seniors,” she wrote. “The scholarships that I received are going to help me tremendously pursue my degree in college.”

Among the scholarships available to students is the Jennifer Miller Scholarship, started by Nancy Miller and her family.

"Although the circumstance that created this fund was unfortunate, it gives us great joy to be able to share it in a positive way with students from Sandpoint High School," Nancy Miller said. "We are excited to help students with their post-secondary journey."