Together, we are changing lives — and generations

Last Tuesday, I stood before a room filled with over 700 people who represent the very best of our community — educators, business leaders, parents, donors and students — and I was overwhelmed with gratitude. 

Thanks to the generosity and shared commitment of this remarkable community, we have raised over $450,000 in scholarships for graduating seniors across North Idaho this year alone. These funds will directly impact students from more than 15 local high schools — students who now have access to new opportunities, resources and futures that may have once felt out of reach. 

And when you factor in the additional $115,000 in scholarships promised to 2023 recipients — contingent on those students staying enrolled in school for a second year — the total investment in our young people climbs to over half a million dollars. 

This is extraordinary. But it didn’t happen overnight. 

The reason this program has grown to what it is today is due in large part to the vision, generosity and leadership of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. Just four years ago, in 2021, we awarded five $1,000 scholarships. That same year, Chief J. Allan, Chairman of the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council, issued a challenge to the business community: For every $1,000 scholarship donated, the Tribe would match it. 

That call to action ignited something powerful in our region. Businesses responded. Community leaders stepped up. People rallied behind the idea that we could — and should — do more for our students. And thanks to the Tribe’s unwavering commitment to education, we’ve witnessed an incredible transformation. What began as a small program has grown into a regional movement that’s now unlocking opportunity for hundreds of students. 

This isn’t just about dollars. This is about hope. It’s about removing barriers and unlocking potential. It’s about changing lives — and changing generations. 

As I said in my closing remarks at the event, I am so humbled to stand before this community and witness what we can accomplish when we come together with a shared purpose: to invest in our youth. 

We know the challenges. Idaho ranks among the lowest in the nation for per-student spending and teacher pay. According to Idaho Education News, during the 2022-23 school year, our state ranked 40th in teacher pay and last in per-student investment. In 2024, we’re eighth from the bottom in high school graduation rates. And only 43% of our graduates go on to college, also below the national average. 

These numbers are hard to hear, but they matter. They give us a clear picture of the uphill climb our educators and students face every day. And yet — amid these daunting realities — we are seeing something extraordinary take shape. We are seeing a community rise. 

Do you know the number one reason parents often don’t talk to their kids about college? It’s fear of disappointment, because they don’t have the means to send them. That’s heartbreaking. But what’s even more powerful is what happens when that fear is replaced with possibility. 

Our community is stepping in to be that source of possibility. From educators and mentors to families, donors and local businesses, there is a growing understanding that investing in students isn’t just generous — it’s essential. It’s an investment in our workforce, our neighborhoods and our future. 

What we’re doing here isn’t simply charitable — it’s transformational. Programs like the one we celebrated at our scholarship breakfast don’t just recognize potential — they help unlock it. With financial support, mentorship and meaningful connections, we are building bridges to postsecondary education and career paths that can change the trajectory of a student’s life. 

I want to especially thank Chief J. Allan and the Tribal Council at the Coeur d’Alene Tribe for being the catalyst behind this momentum. Their leadership, advocacy and deep-rooted commitment to education have truly elevated this program into something beyond what we ever imagined just four years ago. The Tribe’s belief in the power of education is leaving a legacy not only for this generation of students, but for many generations to come. 

And to the countless individuals and organizations who contributed this year, whether through financial gifts, volunteer time or simply showing up in support, thank you. Your involvement sends a powerful message: that our students matter. That their futures are worth fighting for. That we believe in them. 

To the students who were in that room: Please remember that you are surrounded by people who see your promise. People who believe in your ability to make a difference. People who will continue to invest in you, advocate for you and cheer you on every step of the way. 

This is what it means to be a part of Coeur d’Alene and a member of our Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber. This is what it means to be part of a region that leads with heart. Where neighbors show up for one another. Where challenges become rallying cries. And where the success of one student becomes a victory for us all. 

On behalf of the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber, thank you. Thank you to the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. Thank you to our incredible educators. Thank you to our business leaders and donors. Thank you to the families and mentors who nurture confidence in our youth. And thank you to our students for your drive, your determination and your courage to dream big. 

Let’s keep showing up. Let’s keep investing in what matters most — our young people. Because when we lift them up, we all rise.

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Linda Coppess is the CEO and president of the Coeur d’Alene Regional Chamber.

    Coppess