Samantha Schofield, Klahowya

Samantha has called many places home. From the evergreen forests of Washington and the deserts of Eastern Washington to the humid coastlines of Florida and Georgia and the frigid winters of Winnipeg, Manitoba, she spent much of her childhood on the move. At one point, her family even fulfilled a lifelong dream by living aboard a sailboat while residing in the Southeast.

As fun as those experiences were, constantly moving took its toll. Each new place brought uncertainty, and Samantha often wondered whether it was worth investing in new friendships when another move could be just around the corner.  “What’s the point of meeting new friends if I’ll just move away in a year?” she thought. 

Everything changed when she arrived at Klahowya Secondary School. At KSS, Sam found a community she wanted to be part of. She joined the cross country and track teams, building lasting friendships with her teammates and eventually serving as team captain during her senior year. Beyond athletics, she immersed herself in campus life as a member of the Associated Student Body, National Honor Society, and Leo Club.

For the first time, Samantha felt rooted. The connections she’s made at KSS will last her a lifetime.

Q&A 

Plans after graduation: Attending Whitworth University’s honors program, majoring in either bioinformatics or applied physics in engineering. 

Greatest accomplishment in CK Schools: Mixing different activities – academics, sports, and clubs – while keeping her emotional and mental health intact. Also, upping her standards for people who she engages with and building her confidence and self worth.   

Favorite memory in CK Schools: Going to state for cross country and track and field and all the fun times with her teammates. 

A piece of advice that’s stuck out to her:  Coach Felty teaching her to be aggressive and show confidence. Don’t let people push you around. 

Where she sees herself in 20 years: “Married with a home and a stable income, maybe one kid. I hope I’m either a professor or as a researcher and engineer in the biomedical field.”