KELLOGG – Students in Cory North’s agricultural mechanics, systems, and welding classes at Kellogg High School are getting new tools to hone their skills. 

Thanks to generous donations from businesses across the Silver Valley, North raised more than $10,000 to purchase new welders and upgrade the school’s career-technical education (CTE) classrooms. 

“I started this journey back in March with the goal of changing the culture of my classes,” North said. “I spoke with my representative from Norco Welding Supplies and asked for a quote on 10 new up-to-date welders that would serve all my classes. I got a quote for $18,000.” 

Before reaching out to the community, North pursued grant funding and other avenues to cover the cost of the equipment. After receiving little to no response, he and several students began contacting local businesses directly. 

As outreach efforts ramped up, work began to modernize the classrooms where the new equipment would be used and stored—an effort to show their commitment to creating a safe and industry-compliant learning environment. 

“We started by fixing up the class. Painted walls, fixed the floors and made the shop more compliant with industry standards,” North said. 

During this process, North met with Kellogg School District Superintendent Lance Pearson, who suggested he send letters to businesses that employ his students to see if they’d be interested in supporting the initiative. 

So far, North has received $10,100 in donations from three businesses: the Sunshine Silver Mining and Refining, Hecla's Lucky Friday Mine, and Nasco. 

“I couldn’t be more pleased with the support that all of the businesses have given us,” North said. “The CTE programs are what build our community. My dream is to have students employable right out of high school with the base information needed to become successful. I want the community to know how important the students are. As well as the students to understand how important they are to the community.” 

KHS’s CTE program has a strong history of community involvement. Students have assembled custom bicycle racks placed throughout Kellogg and fabricated hundreds of medals for the Jackass Half Marathon. They also build and sell custom firepits, cornhole boards, and decorative pieces using skills learned in North’s classes. 

Pearson emphasized the value of CTE programs in helping students explore their interests and prepare for life after graduation. 

“Our CTE programs provide all of our students the opportunity to experience hands-on learning, discover their interests, and develop the technical and adaptable skills needed for an ever-changing economy,” he said. “Cory North does an excellent job of tapping into the students’ creativity and innovation while maintaining a sharp focus on work ethic, safety, and skill development. Our CTE programs represent another choice for our students and a viable pathway to graduation and a step up and into the workforce.” 

Across Idaho, CTE programs are making a measurable impact. During the 2022–23 school year, more than 52,000 secondary students participated in CTE programs statewide. These students graduated at higher rates and earned over 6,500 sub-baccalaureate credentials in CTE fields. 

Sarah Frohlich, a controller for Sunshine Silver Mining and Refining, spoke about the company's desire to support local CTE programs.

"The Sunshine Mine is committed to empowering local youth by fostering trade skill development," Frohlich said. "Our recent donation to Kellogg is directly supporting programs designed to equip students with valuable vocational skills, preparing them for rewarding and lucrative careers in our community. The Sunshine is happy to support hands-on opportunities to learn trades that are vital to not only our community, but the regional economy. With the country facing a significant deficit in skilled tradespeople, donations like this are critical to addressing the growing need for qualified professionals in these essential fields."  

If anyone would like to donate to Kellogg High School's CTE classes, contact Cory North at (208)784-1371