SANDPOINT — Seniors at Sandpoint High School are taking the first steps toward planning their future by filling out the Apply Idaho application this week.  

The application is free and allows students to apply to every public higher learning institution in Idaho for free. For the past decade, SHS’ counseling and English departments have collaborated to ensure that students have class time to work on the application. 

"It helps students create options. It’s not scary, it’s not hard,” Jeralyn Mire, post-secondary transition counselor at SHS, said. “It’s nice because we have class time dedicated to them doing this. Instead of them saying they’ll do it on a weekend and then something comes up.”   

Mire said that SHS is focused on helping students find their next path, even if it isn’t attending a two or four-year college. She said that taking the time to work with students provides them with a backup plan that they can always fall back on. 

"A lot of kids already have a set plan, but from our experience things change throughout the year and we want them to have a backup,” Angie Dail, college and career advisor at SHS said. 

Students said that they were grateful to have the educators’ help when applying to colleges and for them to consider their future. Among them, Heaven Day said that she never thought about going to college until help from staff at SHS showed her that it was feasible. 

"It motivated me to go to school today,” Day said. “If I have dedicated time to do it, it makes it a lot easier. Them, having the counselors here, who have done this for years, and they can give you all the ins and outs.” 

Even for students who aren’t planning to attend college, like Nathan Egbert, the workshop served as a welcomed safety net.  

"It’s definitely really nice,” Egbert said of the opportunity to apply. “I wouldn’t want to get to the end of the year to find out the business burned down... and I can’t do anything. It’s a nice safety net to have, just in case.”  

Mire said she’s thrilled that the teachers dedicate class time for her and her staff to work with students. She said that the group setting encourages students to ask questions and gives them time to work through the myriads of issues that can appear when filling out the application. 

Sarah Miles, the chair of the English department, said she sees the immense value in taking class time to work on these applications. She said it removes barriers and giving them this opportunity might jumpstart their next step in life, no matter what they choose. 

"For us, we love working with students and it’s really neat to help all students at one time,” Mire said. “We don’t care what path you choose; we just want you to have a solid path to go on.” 

Mire and her staff will continue to work with seniors on Idaho LAUNCH, a state program that provides up to $8,000 for students to pursue in-need careers in the state and Apply Idaho scholarships. 

    A student at Sandpoint High School works on her Apply Idaho application.