COEUR d'ALENE — They're the cream of the crop, the tip of the top and the best and brightest leaders of tomorrow.

Two hundred local students were celebrated with $200,000 in scholarships and honored by their mentors, loved ones and members of the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and area business community Wednesday morning at the annual Scholarship Breakfast, one of the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber's biggest events of the year.

As a surprise at the end of the program, Coeur d'Alene Tribal Chairman Chief Allan announced the Tribe would double the scholarships from $1,000 to $2,000 each, for a generous scholarship total of $400,000.

"It means so much," Lakeland High School senior Amanda Olson said. "It's so amazing to get support from the community and from local businesses. I'm sponsored by the Tribe, and I just think it's so great that they're sponsoring to further the education of us young students and celebrating it like this."

An expanse of tables covered with white cloths stretched across bays of The Coeur d'Alene Resort, where guests beamed with pride for the young scholars, who mostly hailed from public and private schools throughout North Idaho.

"Today is going to be a good day," Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber CEO and President Linda Coppess said as she looked out at the large crowd.

As someone with teachers in the family, Coppess said education is close to her heart and is the No. 1 priority of the Coeur d'Alene Chamber.

"This event is definitely one of our most favorite events," Coppess said. "We are delighted to award $1,000 scholarships to 200 students. To all of the students who are present, we are thrilled to stand beside you as you venture into this next phase of your journey. We offer our heartfelt congratulations and wish you the utmost success in the future ahead."

A few select students also received Strength of Character awards, which included an additional $500 scholarship. One of the character award winners was Coeur d'Alene High School senior Jeralyn Norris, who Kootenai Health sponsored.

"It's just a really great feeling knowing that the community is investing so much in all these students here today and giving us the opportunity to reach our goals and ease that financial burden of our next steps," said Jeralyn, who already has her certified nursing assistant certification and plans to pursue nursing after high school.

"It's been great to have my parents here supporting me," she said. "My dad and my mom were getting a little choked up, so it's kind of sweet to see that. I'm really grateful for them."

Five years ago, Allan issued a challenge to the business community to expand the Coeur d'Alene Chamber's scholarship program, with the Tribe matching funds to increase the number of students receiving support for their academic journeys beyond high school.

"The Tribe continues to match every single scholarship, doubling the impact for our graduating students," Coppess said.

Allan, who grew up with a single mom, said education was a far-fetched dream when he was young.

"I was the first one in my family to graduate from high school let alone think about graduating from college," he said.

He advised the scholarship recipients to make the most of their time.

"Four years go really fast. Take it, go for it. Don't be afraid," Allan said. "When I went to school, I was afraid. I didn't have the resources, didn't have the opportunities like my own kids have now."

He told the group that anything they wanted in life was worth the effort it took to get.

"Hard work pays off, trust me, it does pay off," he said.

In five years, 282 local businesses have funded $1.37 million in scholarships for 645 students from 21 schools in the region through this program.

"I speak for all of us when I say it means so much to us, and just know that it gives us the motivation and confidence to keep working toward our dreams," Lake City High School senior Gracie Ford said to the room. "I know that I wouldn't be standing here without support and my support system. My biggest inspiration and support is my mom; she is not only the smartest person I know but she is also the most encouraging and has motivated me and challenged me to keep pushing forward and to do things I didn't even know I was capable of."

Lakeside High School senior Tyson Charley asked his peers to honor the mentors who have helped them along the way.

"We're truly blessed to be living in a community that deeply values and supports education and believes in investing in our future," he said.

Rick Rasmussen, a trustee of the Coeur d'Alene School District and CEO of Northwest Specialty Hospital, said the Scholarship Breakfast is the best day in Coeur d'Alene every year.

"In 1984, the Coeur d'Alene Chamber gave out one scholarship. I was fortunate to get that one many, many, many years ago. You guys were not even born, most of you," Rasmussen said. "To go and see 200 people now, it is incredible."

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This story has been updated to reflect the surprise announcement that scholarships would be doubled from $1,000 to $2,000 for each student.

    Coeur d'Alene High School senior Jeralyn Norris accepts a Strength of Character award Wednesday morning from Rick Rasmussen during the Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber's Scholarship Breakfast at The Resort.
  

Lake City High senior Liliauna Smith shakes Coeur d'Alene Regional Chamber CEO and President Linda Coppess' hand Wednesday morning as over $400,000 in scholarships is awarded to area students.

    Coeur d'Alene Tribal Chairman Chief Allan discusses the importance of pursuing education and taking advantage of every moment on Wednesday morning during the Coeur d'Alene Chamber's annual Scholarship Breakfast at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.
  

    Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy senior May Wigelsworth, on Wednesday, expresses gratitude to the community for supporting high school graduates on their academic journeys, as she is one of 200 area students to receive funding for higher education through the Coeur d'Alene Chamber's scholarship program.