SANDPOINT — Sandpoint Rotary will consider candidates as it prepares to distribute about $50,000 in scholarship funds to local high school graduates pursuing two-year technical education programs. 

Graduates of Sandpoint High School, Clark Fork High, Forrest Bird Charter School, Lake Pend Oreille Alternative High and The Home School Academy are eligible to apply by April 10. Successful applicants typically receive about $3,000.

“We've given scholarships for everything from nursing degrees to someone who wants to be a helicopter pilot,” said Curtis Johnson, chair of Sandpoint Rotary’s career technical education scholarship committee. “It's a little bit broader than just the technical field as we normally see it.” 

Rotary considers applications from local graduates up to 30 years old, which Johnson said aims to give community members already in the workforce an opportunity to enhance their skills and earning potential. 

The application is not grade point average-dependent. Candidates must submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or school official and a community member. 

Since launching the program three years ago, Rotary has awarded about $150,000 in career technical education scholarships. Each year, the scholarships are funded by Rotary’s summer charity golf tournament hosted in partnership with The Idaho Club. 

This year’s tournament is scheduled for Aug 25; in the past, Rotarians, residents and local trade professionals have taken part. 

“We have roofing contractors, builders in town and real estate agencies that join our fundraiser,” said Johnson. 

He noted that many business owners in local trades see the event as an opportunity to grow Sandpoint’s workforce and invest in young workers who will acquire skills and bring them back to the community. 

“There's a major shortage of people who have the skills,” Johnson said. “I think it’s a win-win-win situation.” 

Rotary continues to offer scholarships for traditional education each year; the decision to expand the initiative to support technical education, Johnson said, points back to the group’s core values. 

“Rotary has the motto of ‘service above self,’” he said. “The service portion of it is providing value to the students, but it's also service because we fill a gap in workforce needs.” 

Johnson also shared that Sandpoint Rotary, along with Bonner General Health, plans to help outfit and equip the health occupations and sports medicine facilities at the soon-to-be-constructed Career Technical Education Center of North Idaho, which is scheduled to open on the grounds of Sandpoint High School in 2026.