SANDPOINT — “Left, left, left, right, left.” 

That iconic military marching cadence now rings throughout the east side of Sandpoint High School as students in the school’s new Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program head to class. 

The JROTC program is the culmination of a dream by the one man tasked with running the program, Kyle Olmstead.

Olmstead, who is still an active member of the military, got his start after attending the Marion Military Institute. It was during his time at the institute, Olmstead said he saw the benefits of a JROTC program for youth. 

“It was good to see kids that were really struggling succeed and that’s how it is here,” Olmstead said. “I’d like to see them succeed regardless of what they are doing. They all have different goals and plans, as long as we can help them get there that’d be awesome.” 

Olmstead was a teacher at Clark Fork High School and had been attempting to bring a sanctioned program to the Lake Pend Oreille School District for five years. It wasn’t until this year that Olmstead got his wish, a JROTC class open to students from both SHS and CFHS.  

On the far east side of SHS, students head in a single file line to a cramped room swamped with boxes, materials and a small desk for Olmstead. Immediately as the students found their seats, conversation began about everything from the class to weekend plans. 

“I try to be funny, I think I’m funny, I don’t know if they do or not,” Olmstead said with a laugh. “I want to make it enjoyable for them because it shouldn’t be just work and no play or why they would sign up again next semester. Hopefully they all enjoy this and get something out of it.” 

Two students, Sienna Cuellar and Hayden Peterson, said not only do they find Olmstead funny, but that he has made JROTC their favorite class. Cuellar, a freshman at SHS, said the class has helped her build confidence in everything she does. 

As a part of the program, students have presented the United States' colors at several local events. Cuellar was a part of the color guard group that displayed the flags before the annual NAMI walk. 

"You learn to be in front of the public eye and learn how to represent yourself because you’re also representing other people,” Cuellar said. “When you’re presenting the colors, you want to make sure, you’re representing not only the colors, but your team and JROTC as well.” 

For Peterson, he’s continuing a JROTC education that he started in the sixth grade. He said the class has helped improve his focus on schoolwork and that his fellow classmates have been an asset to help him learn. 

"My grades went up,” Peterson said of his time in the program. “I was able to focus better in class and then being able to do work in this class helped my confidence.” 

Both students said Olmstead’s energy makes the class as special as it is. They said their favorite activity is kickball, when the students are separated into four teams and play a set of games as a teambuilding exercise.  

Olmstead said he hopes to use the fun atmosphere to guide the students to become better and more active citizens. He said the program allows students to serve as real leaders in their communities while learning about the military.  

"Some of these kids are going to be the company commanders and platoon leaders, actually leading and making sure kids are doing the right thing,” Olmstead said. “At some point they'll switch out with the people that they were struggling with and then they get to be the leader and experience the ups and downs of that spot.” 

SHS JROTC program presented the colors at the school’s veterans day assembly last Tuesday. The students will be out Dec. 14 selling 50/50 raffle tickets to help the Parent Teacher Organization raise funds for a new mascot at SHS.