Academy raises $1,875 for Safe Passage during student showcase

POST FALLS — Planning, hard work and a dash of organized chaos made for a busy day Thursday at Elevate Academy North as the school welcomed visitors for graduation festivities and a silent auction of student-made yard art.

Culinary students prepared wild mushroom risotto and chocolate-dipped strawberries for their guests. Family and community members perused tables of metal suns, flowers, sasquatches and more as sophomore welding student Nathan Holt provided live auction updates.

"It's actually going very great," said Nathan, wearing an American flag bowtie and cowboy hat with feathers tucked in the band.

"I'm really enjoying that we have all these people here seeing our school," he said. "It means a lot to me I got into this school. Our welding teacher is very dear to me." Nathan, concluding his first full year at Elevate, said the welding program has opened doors for him.

"I've been able to do different things outside of the school, I've fabricated different things," he said. "We have a couple different programs as well, and it helps a lot of students find jobs before they get out of high school."

The auction served as a fundraiser for Safe Passage as well as a way for students to have their work seen by the public. It raised $1,875 for the nonprofit, which serves survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking and child abuse.

“It means so much that Elevate Academy chose Safe Passage as the beneficiary of their student auction," Development Director Nicole Hammons said. "A school that equips students with career skills while also instilling the value of giving back is something truly special. We are so grateful for their support and look forward to partnering together in the future.”

Linda Elliott, whose granddaughter teaches at Elevate, was among the many guests of the day.

"I think this is great," she said. "I think this is a wonderful experience for the kids. The parents like this a lot too. The work is excellent; I bid on half a dozen things over there."

In the kitchen, junior Dominic Lundquist set cups of risotto on a serving cart to roll out to guests.

"I'm enjoying the preparation of it," he said.

Culinary students went this way and that to ensure everything was in order.

"As chaotic as it feels, everyone seems happy," sophomore KC Cameron said as she and classmates worked to plate chocolate-dipped strawberries.

"I love it," freshman Leticia Hewitt said. "I want to be either a cosmetologist or be cooking, because I love to cook."

Junior Lucian Duran has been at Elevate two years. She enjoyed working with her younger counterparts and keeping things running smoothly.

"I have always enjoyed working with food," she said. "I live in a family that is huge about food in our traditions. I learned super young. Being able to help other students with their showcases, showing them how to be able to do stuff, it's really fulfilling because it's getting to show them what I learned and what I enjoy. When I see them enjoying it and doing all this, it's amazing."

    Dominic Lundquist, junior, sets cups of mushroom risotto on a serving cart Thursday during Elevate Academy North's silent auction student showcase event.

    Sophomore and silent auction emcee Nathan Holt makes an announcement Thursday as Linda Elliott peruses yard art made by welding students during a community event at Elevate Academy North. The auction raised $1,875 to support Safe Passage.
  

  

    A 3D animal creature made by sophomore Nathan Holt was among the many creative items made by welding students in Elevate Academy North's silent auction Thursday.
  

    From left, Marino Metcalf, Nicole Hammons and Megan Warren hold up a check for $1,875 Thursday after the money was raised and donated by Elevate Academy's welding students during a silent auction.