24 Sandpoint High School Graduates Earn Idaho Workforce Readiness and CTE Diplomas
Sandpoint High School Class of 2026 Recognized for Career and Technical Achievement
SANDPOINT, Idaho — Twenty-four students from Sandpoint High School’s Class of 2026 have earned the Workforce Readiness and Career & Technical Education Diploma, a distinction established by the Idaho State Legislature in 2021 to recognize students who go above and beyond standard graduation requirements through hands-on, career-focused education.
The achievement recognizes students in the Lake Pend Oreille School District who completed a full CTE pathway, passed both a technical skills assessment and a workplace readiness assessment, and demonstrated mastery through SkillStack microcredentials or industry-recognized certifications. The diploma was designed to signal to employers that graduating students are workforce-ready and can contribute with minimal additional training from day one on the job.
Alex Gray, LPOSD CTE director, praised the graduating group in remarks released by the district. “I’m proud of the dedication our students have shown in pursuing meaningful, career-focused learning,” Gray said. “They’re graduating with more than a diploma; they’ve built the skills and confidence to succeed in whatever comes next.”
Students Gain Technical Skills Across High-Demand Career Fields
CTE programs at Sandpoint High School span a range of high-skill, in-demand fields. Photos released by the Lake Pend Oreille School District show students developing nursing skills in the school’s medical CTE classroom, including practicing patient mobility assessments, while others are pictured putting welding skills to work in hands-on shop settings. The programs are designed to align with real-world workforce demands, giving students practical experience before they reach the job market.
The full list of Sandpoint High School students earning the Workforce Readiness and CTE Diploma in 2026 includes: Evangeline Carroll, Kayden Price, Sierra Vest, Cecilia Dignan-Omodt, Johnathan Gaulrapp, Rachel Aylward, Chloe Subers, Esther Grant, Logan Lindley, Jasper Caslund, Morganne Perry-Scepan, Holly Rainey, Annie Miller, Bria Rocke, Adrian Burleson, Addison Ketchum, Matthew Kunde, Lanie Padilla, Maverick Broehl, Brooke Brown, Lily Evans, Conner Kluender, Lane Gavin, and Brooklynn Spring Thompson.
The recognition highlights the value North Idaho communities continue to place on practical, skills-based education that prepares students for trades, healthcare, and other in-demand sectors — career paths that offer strong earning potential and long-term job stability without requiring a four-year college degree.
The Workforce Readiness and CTE Diploma represents a growing statewide emphasis on alternative post-secondary pathways. By completing the requirements, these students enter the workforce — or continue their education — with a credential that validates their technical knowledge and employability skills in a way a standard diploma alone does not. The distinction also benefits local employers who can hire graduates with documented, assessed competencies already in place.
North Idaho has seen growing momentum in CTE and workforce development at the secondary and post-secondary levels. Locally, students like Sandpoint-area athlete Briggs Roos have committed to North Idaho College, which also offers technical and vocational programs alongside its academic curriculum. NIC students have also competed successfully at the state level in entrepreneurship, reflecting the region’s broader investment in preparing young people for meaningful careers.
The Lake Pend Oreille School District congratulated the graduates on the achievement and expressed confidence in the contributions they will make in their chosen career paths.
What Comes Next
The 24 Sandpoint High School students recognized with the Workforce Readiness and CTE Diploma are set to graduate with the Class of 2026. Their career-focused credentials position them for direct workforce entry or further technical training at institutions such as North Idaho College and other vocational programs across the region. The Lake Pend Oreille School District is expected to continue expanding CTE pathway options as demand for skilled workers in healthcare, trades, and technology remains strong throughout Bonner County and North Idaho.