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by Daniela Julio-Cano
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KAMIAH & KOOSKIA — ‘Leaders of the Valley’ is a program that was started by Caden Massey and a group of Kamiah High School 2018 graduates. The program focuses on providing scholarship opportunities to high school students solely based on their leadership qualities and community service efforts.
" So, we don't take grades into account, and we don't take their future career field into account," Leaders of the Valley Executive Director Caden Massey said.
Massey says this scholarship is unique instead of just helping students looking to go into four-year degrees, this opportunity is centered on helping those wanting to go into 2-year degrees or welding, HVAC or other trade fields.
Right now, the scholarship serves students in Kamiah and Kooskia but there are hopes of expanding to other communities in the near future.
" Next year, so by 2026 graduation we want to start here in Lewiston and hopefully a few other places. We were looking at Grangeville, Cottonwood, Orofino," Massey said.
Massey thought of the idea a couple years ago and brought it to life. The program received tremendous community support within the Kamiah and Kooskia area to help fund the scholarships.
The scholarship is based on community contributions. Massey works to find businesses and individuals that want to donate to help bring the scholarship to life.
If you are interested in being a contributor, you can reach out to the program by emailing leadersofthevalley@gmail.com
Caden Massey will then meet with the business or individual in-person to explain the ins and outs of the program and its scholarship.
" We are trying to get this started in other communities in the area in Idaho and we desperately need community support in order to do it," Massey said.
Last year, the program handed out their first scholarship recognizing a student's efforts for her work within the Kamiah community.
" That student is going great, we're very proud of her," Massey said.
Leaders of the Valley are hoping to give out at least one scholarship this year.
