HAYDEN LAKE — For now, the recipients of this year’s North Idaho Fair and Rodeo Foundation Scholarships are students.

But someday, they hope to be vet techs, dermatologists, fashion designers, equine therapists or forest entomologists, to name a few career paths.

With the $19,000 worth of scholarship money awarded between the 14 recipients, they can move closer to achieving their goals.

“I’m trying to get through college with the least amount of debt as I can,” said recipient Jonathan McComas. “This is an investment in the career that I want to have.”

McComas attended Friday’s scholarship luncheon at the Hayden Lake Country Club alongside his proud mother, Tina.

“I’m grateful that there’s people willing to invest in the next generation,” Tina said.

Since 2016, the Fair Foundation has awarded nearly $140,000 to students in Kootenai and Shoshone counties that are enrolled in two- or four-year academic institutions or trade schools.

The scholarship awards are “very near and dear” to Gayle Stegmann’s heart, who has been intimately involved with the Fair Foundation for more than 15 years. Stegmann Farms, home of Gem State Mule Company, is also one of the donors that make the scholarship program possible.

“We’re more than happy to support (these students) in some small way,” Stegmann said.

This year’s recipients were Maddie Andres, Olivia Barnhart, Jonathan McComas, Colton Burnside, Madisen Blagden, Zoey Evans, Claire Kelley, Abigail Neff, Jennessa Norcini, Amelie Johnson, Alexis Jennings, Owen Forsman, Alexa Sheppard and Sydney Lauer.

“Today is about celebrating you,” Fair Foundation president Kim Weatherford told the recipients. 

Zoey Evans, left, speaks alongside Abigail Neff sharing that she hopes to pursue a career in fashion during Friday's North Idaho Fair and Rodeo Foundation Scholarship luncheon.