CLARK FORK — A group of Clark Fork High School students took an important step toward graduation last Friday — presenting their senior projects to a panel of judges.

In each presentation, the student surveys their time in CFHS’s Independent Track Program. For the program, each student is paired with a mentor in a field of their choosing. They spend time with their mentor, learning the basics of a career they are interested in, and ultimately gaining enough exposure to determine if the field they are in is something they would consider pursuing. Some kids find out they love their choice, and others find out what they don’t want to do. Either way, students gain insight that helps them carve a future path. 

“They learn those soft skills such as how to make phone calls, how to professionally email, how to show up on time, how to dress appropriately for the position, all of that,” said Rebecca Palmer, CFHS senior project coordinator and English teacher. 

To complete their senior projects, the students must complete 40 mentor-verified hours. 

“I complete a site visit, I talk them through their project, I talk to them about how they’ve done, I give the mentors a survey they fill out about their student and about the program,” she said. “The big thing is going to be a week from Friday … our senior project presentations.”

During presentations, Palmer’s classroom was filled with students, observers, judges, and props for demonstrations while 12 students presented. Thirty-four students in total gave a demonstration of what they learned, reflected on their experience, and discussed what they plan to do after high school and if the project influenced their decision. 

Jenna Bartlett, Amari Printz-Hay, Farrah Boehme, and Riley King were just a few of the students who presented. 

Bartlett chose to shadow her father and another construction business owner learning about building, infrastructure and excavation. For her demonstration, she showed the audience how to use a laser to level the ground for a new build. She learned how to use other various tools at a real construction site. 

“We were up on the Idaho Club working on creating a subdivision where eight new homes will sit,” Bartlett said. “One of those homes is currently in progress right now.”

After her time in the program, she said she is most interested in working toward her CDL to operate machines like excavators.

Printz-Hay worked as a barista and demonstrated how to make a mocha. She hopes to pursue cosmetology, but job shadowing opportunities in that field are limited. 

Boehme is fascinated by interior design and home decorating. She completed her mentor hours at Idagon, where she learned about specific design terms and the design process. She showcased a floor plan and demonstrated what symbols a designer can draw to signify different features like lights or a kitchen island. 

King is passionate about history. He shadowed a high school teacher at Lake Pend Oreille High School. There he helped grade assignments and conduct research. For his demonstration, he graded sample history tests on the Civil War and discussed his process. 

“Many students have received jobs based on this program, or at the very least a letter of recommendation,” Palmer said. “Many students use this opportunity to know exactly what they want to use the Idaho Launch scholarship for … “All the students who presented passed their project with flying colors.”

Lisa McElroy, an instructional coach and literacy lead with the Lake Pend Oreille School District, has been a judge for the student presentations at Clark Fork for three years. Her role as a judge panel is to ask follow-up questions, score presentations, and offer feedback.

"I always come away from the experience learning something new whether a new skill through the demonstrations, enlightened information based on the uniqueness of topics, or a connection to a new business within the community," McElroy  said. "Mrs. Palmer does a fantastic job placing students in experiences that both pique their interest and improve their skillset. 

McElroy said she is always impressed with the variety of topics presented and how the students share their experiences. She said she also loves how the program provides an opportunity for students to explore an area of interest within the framework of application through work. 

"It introduces them to the demands of the workplace, which include communication, scheduling, problem solving, and hard work. Students are able to 'try on' a job — to learn the inner details, challenges, and demands of every-day work," she said. "Some students come away from this experience committed more than ever to a particular career choice. Others are grateful for the learning but pivot in a different direction, acknowledging the experience has provide a 'back up plan' or 'side gig option.'"

Regardless of where students land, McElroy said there are several views shared by all of the students — the value of communication and connection to the community. 

And that community also deserves thanks for its support of the program, she added.

"We are so blessed by a community who values, teaches, involves, and encourages our youth," she added. "Thank you to Mrs. Palmer, Clark Fork students, and the community who supports them!"

    Farrah Boehme, CFHS student, presented on her time with Idagon learning about Interior Design.
  

    CFHS student Blue Argue with his mentor at Tendril Apothecary.