The email arrived late on a Monday evening. The confidential message from State Superintendent Reykdal read: Chimacum School District had been selected as one of just 25 districts in Washington for the State Superintendent’s Award for Educational Excellence in Student Progress. The public announcement would come in two days.
For our small rural district nestled among farms, forests, mountains, and the Salish Sea, the recognition felt surprising but not shocking. Surprising because the hard work of our dedicated staff has often gone unnoticed. But not a shock because the story behind the award has been unfolding quietly for years in our classrooms across our schools.
This award wasn’t the result of a single program or innovation. It was the outcome of thousands of engaging moments that create belonging and connection: a teacher staying after school to help a student with a difficult math concept; a counselor guiding a senior through the FAFSA application; a bus driver greeting a child by name with a smile.
Behind those countless moments are real gains. Over the past three years, Chimacum’s graduation rate climbed from 72.9% to 83.7%, regular attendance rose significantly, and participation in dual credit opportunities expanded dramatically.
These numbers reflect something deeper than data. They show dedicated people steadily aligning their efforts from early learning through graduation so that every student can find a pathway forward.
In Chimacum, progress hasn’t happened all at once. It has grown slowly, our deep roots taking hold.
And sometimes, those roots grow strong enough for the rest of the state to notice.
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Hands-On Healthcare: Chimacum Students Travel to State HOSA Leadership Conference
Chimacum students traveled to Spokane to learn from healthcare professionals, connect with peers across Washington, and imagine future careers serving their community.
Nine Chimacum students recently traveled to Spokane to attend the State HOSA Spring Leadership Conference, joining more than 3,600 students from across Washington to explore careers in healthcare through hands-on workshops, leadership activities, and competitive events. (HOSA is Future Health Professionals, formerly Health Occupations Students of America).
The trip was one more part of Chimacum’s expanding Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming, which is designed to connect classroom learning with real-world career pathways that are critical to the future of Jefferson County.
“We took nine students this year, which is more than double the number who attended last year,” Chimacum HOSA advisor Tyler Walcheff said. “Students were able to explore many different areas of healthcare and learn directly from professionals and university instructors.”
Students attended anatomy labs, pharmaceutical science sessions, suturing labs, emergency response training, forensic science simulations, physical therapy demonstrations, and bioengineering presentations. Many of the sessions at the WSU Spokane campus were led by college professors and medical students, offering our students a glimpse of potential college and career pathways.
For many participants, the highlight of the conference was the opportunity to connect with thousands of other students interested in healthcare careers. “Students loved interacting with peers from across Washington who share the same interests,” Walcheff said. “It really helps them see the possibilities available to them.”
The conference also included leadership sessions and student elections for the Washington State HOSA organization. One Chimacum student even qualified to attend a national leadership camp in Washington, D.C. this summer.
Health Science education is especially important in Jefferson County, where the demand for healthcare workers continues to grow. According to regional workforce data, the Health Care and Social Assistance industry is expected to generate 1,343 job openings in Jefferson County over the next ten years, accounting for more than 12 percent of all projected job demand across industries. Local healthcare occupations already represent a significant portion of the workforce. The demand for healthcare professionals is particularly significant in Jefferson County because of the area’s aging population. As Walcheff explains, the region faces both a growing need for healthcare services and a limited workforce to fill those roles.
“Jefferson County is one of the oldest counties in the country,” Walcheff said. “That means we have a smaller workforce and a greater need for healthcare professionals. Programs like HOSA help students explore those careers early and see how they can contribute to their community.”
The HOSA trip to Spokane was made possible through generous support from the Jefferson Healthcare Foundation, an anonymous donation through Friends of Chimacum, and enhanced Career and Technical Education funding.
For Chimacum students, the experience provided more than just a conference. It offered a chance to connect classroom learning with the real-world careers that will shape the future of community healthcare. “Experiences like this help students see themselves in these professions,” Walcheff said. “It’s exciting to watch them begin to imagine the impact they could have right here in our community.”