Spring Creek students and teachers honored; district highlights CTE participation and high graduation rates

The Elko County School District recognized student and staff achievements during the Feb. 3 board meeting at Spring Creek Middle School.

Justine McDermott, a senior at Spring Creek High School, served as the student board member for the evening; the meeting presenter noted her 4.9 weighted GPA, athletic and academic honors, and stated she plans to attend Idaho State University and pursue accounting. The board also recognized Cash Harris as Nevada’s sixth-grade winner of the 2025 Scholastic Challenge and named three '3 Stars' recipients for January: Holly Whittle (art teacher, Liberty Peak), Brooke Lowe (art teacher, Spring Creek High School) and Amy Peterson (teacher, Spring Creek Middle School). Student Noah Rowland read his nomination for Amy Peterson at the meeting.

The board received a career and technical education update from CTE Coordinator Heather Steele. The presentation, which the district posted slides for in its recap newsletter, outlined goals to expand CTE pathways and dual-credit offerings. The presenter said about 600 middle school students and roughly 2,000 high school students participate in CTE programs across the district; the update stated that students who complete a CTE pathway often graduate at rates 'higher than 95 percent, usually in the 98 percent range.'

Unidentified remarks in the meeting emphasized a focus on citizenship and community service among Spring Creek students: "It was very obvious that at Spring Creek Middle School, there is an increased focus on giving back to the community and on citizenship," the presenter said. The district framed CTE expansion as part of its strategic plan to increase student opportunities and post‑graduation success.

Next steps: the district will continue pursuing expanded CTE pathways and dual-credit offerings and maintain recognition programs highlighting staff and student achievement.