Kaveman Compass July 31st

Posted Date: 07/31/26 (09:00 AM)

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Kaveman Compass

Helping You Navigate Your Future

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From the Career Center

Welcome Back, Kavemen!

Hello Kuna High School Community,

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful, restful summer and are feeling ready for an exciting new school year ahead!

My name is Laura Turner, and I am thrilled to step into my role as your new College and Career Coordinator. As we start this school year, I am super excited to partner with our students, families, and staff to help map out post-secondary goals, explore career pathways, and discover exciting opportunities for the future.

What to Expect This Year

To keep you informed and ahead of the curve, I will be sending out a weekly College & Career newsletter every Friday morning. These updates will be packed with:

Scholarship & Financial Aid Opportunities (including Idaho LAUNCH and local awards)
College & Career Events (campus visits, military recruiter tables, and CTE showcases)
Grade-Level Checklists & Next Steps Idaho Resources
Job & Internship Postings

A Quick Note on the Transition

As I settle into this new position, I am working hard to gather the most relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information for our school community. Because I am still learning all the fine details and ins and outs of the job, I truly appreciate your patience and grace during this transition period. My goal is to make the Career Center an open, supportive, and efficient resource for every student at Kuna High.

I am so eager to get to know you all and dive into a fantastic school year! Please feel free to stop by the Career Center or reach out via email whenever you have questions.

Let’s make it a great year, Kavemen!

Warmly,

Laura Turner

College & Career Coordinator

Kuna High School

📧 lturner@kunaschools.org

Important Dates

Mark Your Calendars! 🗓️

Staying organized is key to a smooth year! Be sure to save these upcoming dates and deadlines so you don't miss out on important campus events:

August 6 (12:00 PM – 6:00 PM): Back to School Day — Seniors & Juniors

August 7 (12:00 PM – 6:00 PM): Back to School Day — Sophomores & Freshmen

August 13: First Day of School! 🎉

September 7: No School (Labor Day) 🛑

September 25: Homecoming! 🎈🏈

October 2: No School 🛑

Senior Corner 🎓

Attention Class of 2027 Seniors & Families!

The fall semester is a crucial time for post-secondary planning. Here are two important events coming up specifically for seniors:

September 17 & 18 — Credit Analysis & College Application Day Preview

During your Government classes, we will walk through credit checks to make sure you're on track for graduation and preview what to expect for College Application Days.

October 8 & 9 — College Application Days!

We’ll be helping seniors complete and submit college applications, explore trade and technical programs, and get one-on-one assistance during the school day.

Future-Ready Opportunities

Earning an Associate Degree in High School

For students interested in an accelerated academic path, the CWI OtterBound program offers the opportunity to earn an Associate Degree concurrently with a high school diploma. This is a rigorous option designed for highly motivated students with clear academic goals.

Key Program Information:

Because this is an official College of Western Idaho degree, CWI manages the program guidelines and tracks all academic progress. Your first step is to meet with a CWI Advisor to build your college plan. They will then coordinate with your high school counselor to ensure your college courses align with your high school graduation requirements, pathways, and electives.

Is OtterBound Right for You?

To be eligible, students must have:

A cumulative high school GPA of 2.5+.
A chosen CWI major/degree program.
Completed (or in progress) at least one CWI course.

How to Get Started:

If you meet these requirements, your first step is to reach out to CWI to begin the planning process:

Last Names A–M: Natasha Scott (natashascott1@cwi.edu)
Last Names N–Z: Emily Thomas (emilythomas@cwi.edu)

For more details, visit cwi.edu/otterbound.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Kuna Scholarships

Scholarships will open in February and are due by March 1.

These scholarships are exclusively for Kuna High School students and will be awarded in May during Senior Awards Night.

Matthew Scanlon Memorial Scholarship
Tracy Edwards Memorial Scholarship
Dual Language Scholarship
E.P.I.C Scholarship
Financial Responsibility Scholarship
Stephen Newton Memorial Scholarship
Zane Newman Special Education Memorial Scholarship
Wellness and Resiliency Scholarship

Applications can be dropped off in the Career Center with Ms. Bauer.

NSI Scholarship Discovery Center

Click here to explore scholarships based on:

Closing Soon
Idaho Scholarships
Scholarship Idaho
2-Year College Scholarships
4-Year College Scholarships
Career Technical Scholarships
And more!

Aviation Scholarships

Cosmotology Scholarships

Idaho LAUNCH Grant
American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS) Scholarships
Beauty Changes Lives Scholarship Listings

StudentScholarships.org

The Horatio Alger Career & Technical Education (CTE) Scholarship

The Horatio Alger Career & Technical Education (CTE) Scholarship is now open and will award up to $2,500 to eligible students. These funds can support tuition, childcare, transportation, supplies, and other educational expenses.

Key Highlights: (National Career & Technical Scholarship)

Up to $2500 in funding
Have completed high school (or equivalency) by July 1
For students pursuing an associate degree, certificate, or diploma program by September
Must demonstrate financial need (household income of a $100,000 or less)
Open to U.S. citizens under age 35

Priority Deadline: is June 15, 2026.

Here is the direct link to apply for the scholarship: https://horatioalger.org/career-technical-education-scholarships/

Save on Out of State College with WUE!

Rising juniors and seniors: the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) lets eligible students from participating Western states pay no more than 150% of in-state tuition at 170 public colleges—opening more out-of-state options at lower costs!

Check out these free tools:

WUE video explaining eligibility & application
Tuition Savings Finder
List of participating schools
FAQs & slide deck

Learn more and access resources at wiche.edu/wue

Graduate Debt-Free with the Idaho Army National Guard!

Looking for ways to pay for college and gain valuable experience? The Idaho Army National Guard can help you do both!

✅ Tuition Assistance & Scholarships — Up to $20,000 toward your education

✅ Monthly Pay — Earn $350+ while serving

✅ Commitment — Only 2 days a month and 2 weeks in the summer

✅ Full-Time Student — The rest of the time, focus on your studies—without student debt!

Interested?

📞 Contact SSG Michael Torres at 208-576-0535 (text or call)

It’s a smart way to build your future, gain experience, and graduate debt-free!

A graphic lists companies offering tuition assistance for employees, with logos of Lowe's, Amazon, McDonald's, and others.

Jobs that will Pay for your College Education

Many companies offer tuition reimbursement, scholarships, or free college programs—a great way for high school seniors to earn income and support their education.

National Options: Starbucks, Walmart/Sam’s Club, Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Amazon, Apple, AT&T, Bank of America, FedEx, Comcast (tuition coverage up to 100% or $5,250+ per year).

Boise-Area Opportunities: Starbucks, Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Walmart/Sam’s Club, Target, Albertsons/Safeway, WinCo, Fred Meyer, Saint Alphonsus, Saint Luke’s Health System, and some local gyms/spas/salons.

💡 Tip: Ask about tuition assistance or scholarships when applying—some start on your first day! Check company websites for eligibility and application details.

🔍 Want to find more companies that pay for school?

Students can research online by searching for “tuition reimbursement programs”, “employee scholarships”, or “employer education benefits”. Check company websites or career pages for eligibility and application details.

Grade Level Career Plans

Next Steps Idaho

Next Step Idaho is a one-stop resource for students and families exploring life after high school. From career exploration and college planning to financial aid and scholarships, the site offers tools, guides, and information to help students make informed decisions and take actionable steps toward their future. Regularly visiting Next Step Idaho ensures families stay up-to-date on opportunities, deadlines, and resources to support postsecondary success.