Planning for life after graduating high school is getting a little easier in the community thanks to the “All Things Senior” night coming to Sandpoint High School on Sept. 17.

The event — open to students in Boundary and Bonner counties — will feature 30 future options for students, from universities and colleges to military service, attendees will have the chance to find exactly what works for them. In addition to hearing from the organizations and universities, there will be breakout sessions to teach attendees about applying for financial aid, universities, scholarships, Apply Idaho and Idaho LAUNCH. 

"It can be a lot of stress and anxiety for families if you’re presented with all this in your senior year,” Jeralyn Mire, post-secondary transition counselor at SHS, said. “There’s a lot of steps involved and it can be overwhelming, so I think [the event] kind of breaks down some of the barriers and makes it more manageable.” 

Although the event is being hosted at Sandpoint High School, Mire said the event is free and available for any high school students in Bonner and Boundary counties. She encouraged any parent, grandparent or high school student to attend to get a head start of figuring out their post-graduation plans. 

"It’s for all students from all surrounding areas, home schools, Priest River, Bonners Ferry, charter schools and private schools,” Mire said.  

The four breakout sessions will begin a half hour after the event opens and will run continuously throughout the event, allowing attendees to visit all of them if they want. These events will serve as 25–30-minute how-to guides for the topics selected, Mire said that the financial aid breakdown is a can’t miss session. 

"There’s sort of a misnomer that ‘Oh I can just get a full-ride scholarship’ there really aren’t that many full-ride scholarships out there,” Mire said. “It’s work and you have to work together with your student to make it affordable and make it happen. Learning when those deadlines are, so that you don’t miss those spots before the door closes.” 

As a part of the Apply Idaho session, an explanation of the Idaho LAUNCH program will be provided. The state program provides up to $8,000 for students to pursue in-need careers in the state of Idaho. 

Angie Dail, college and career advisor at SHS, encouraged high school seniors to attend because it's an ideal opportunity to examine every post-grad option. She said that she doesn’t want to push every kid down the university track but instead let them find the next step that will work best for them. 

For the first time in the event's run at SHS, there will be representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard attending. They will join other military branches, like the National Guard and Army, who have been staples of past events.  

Universities from five states, including Idaho, will be there to answer questions about their programs. North Idaho College’s Workforce Training Center will be in attendance as well, Dail said that their program is the perfect option for students who are looking to head into the trades. 

“You can go there and get a certification... in all those things you don’t need a four or two-year degree for,” Dail said. “Then you’re going into the job force with that next level of qualification and be able to make a little more money.” 

The fair-style event will be held at Sandpoint High School on Sept. 17 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Both Dail and Mire reinforced that all high schoolers from the area are welcome to attend. 

“Even if you’re a grandma or grandpa and you want to learn about it, come,” Mire said. “Everyone is welcome and it’s really appropriate for high school students and families.”