Let your academic stars shine

Six weeks ago, Coeur d'Alene Police Sgt. Greg Moore was shot and killed. In the ensuing month and a half, most of the headlines have been none too pleasant.

Two friends in their prime drowned in the Salmon River. A woman drowned in Hauser Lake last week. A senseless traffic accident on U.S. 95 claimed a young father. Sad obits have chronicled other young locals whose end came too soon, and even in the category of non-life-threatening news, gloom has been prevalent. We're all caught up in a series of bizarre stories that went viral and reeked of sickness and sorrow.

So let's balance that out. Help us spotlight some of the best news in our community, something inspiring, something that reminds us of the great good that goes on here every single day.

And what better news is there than the accomplishments of our children and grandchildren? Last year about this time, The Press asked readers with graduating high school seniors to share their good academic news. Just as the newspaper publishes photos of Kootenai County's finest young athletes taking their talents to colleges and universities, so did we declare equal treatment for outstanding academic achievers. Let's make it a tradition.

If you have a son or daughter who has earned an academic scholarship to an institution of higher learning, please email a photo of the student - if parents or guardians are in the photo, so much the better - and include details. Where did the student attend high school? Where is she or he going to go to college? What scholarship(s) did the student earn? What area of study is the student most interested in?

Data shows that Idaho has one of the lowest going-on-to-college rates in the entire nation. But we do have plenty of high academic achievers who deserve recognition. It's our hope that the recognition will help encourage other students and families to aim high scholastically. So please, send your photo and scholarship info today to Maureen Dolan, city editor, mdolan@cdapress.com. Help us share some good news and create even more.