A Community Classroom program holds an annual career fair highlighting non-traditional careers. It features job shadowing so students can learn about opportunities in careers other than the forestry work that dominates the area. Students have taken field trips to the state capitol and the White Pass ski area where school board President Nancy Webber works. They also watched surgery being performed at the local hospital, where school board member Linda Lee is employed. For example, one business asked students to develop a PowerPoint presentation, and residents have taught students art and woodworking.
Students also are active in community projects, such as volunteering once a week at a food bank.
The Buddy Up program pairs middle and high school girls and provides training in self-confidence and leadership. The girls traveled to Portland, Ore., to talk with female executives. Even the youngest students' eyes have been opened to the wider world through the Mini Real program, Anthony says. They are learning about the real world by playing roles as bankers, attorneys, shop owners, postal workers, and judges while learning reading, writing and math.