Crook County School District receives $15,000 grant for leadership initiative

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) --- The Crook County School District in Prineville, Ore., received a $15,000 grant from the Rural Oregon Community Foundation for a new student program. The funding will support the district's Western Way of Life – Student Leadership Initiative, which aims to develop leadership skills and promote rural traditions.

Each school within the district will have the opportunity to establish a Western Way of Life Club under the initiative. These clubs will focus on community service, local agriculture, outdoor skills, conservation and traditional crafts. Grant funds will assist with staff coordination, supplies and student activities.

The program also incorporates lessons designed to build resilience among students. Specific focus areas include goal-setting, optimism, personal responsibility, healthy relationships, recognizing unsafe situations and knowing how to seek help. Students will participate in community partnerships, guest speaker events, field experiences and student-led service projects.

Joel Hoff, superintendent of the Crook County School District, emphasized the connection between local traditions and student development. “Our community has a strong rural identity and a long tradition of working together, serving others and taking pride in where we live,” Hoff said. “This initiative gives students opportunities to build leadership skills while connecting with our community, local industries, agriculture and the Western way of life.”

The grant expands on previous collaborative efforts between the school district and the foundation. Steve Holliday, president of the Rural Oregon Community Foundation, highlighted the foundation's ongoing commitment to the area. “We are excited to deepen our partnership with the Crook County School District,” Holliday said. “Our spring program 'Boots & Roots' has been a great foundation to build upon. We are committed to preserving and promoting the western way of life in rural Oregon.”

The Rural Oregon Community Foundation supports education, scholarships, agriculture, ranching, animal welfare and programs celebrating Western culture across Central Oregon. Its work connects young people with traditions, skills and local communities throughout the region.