NIC Head Start employee, alumna receive scholarships

A North Idaho College Head Start employee and a Head Start alumna were awarded scholarships from the Idaho Head Start Association on Feb. 23 in Boise. 

Head Start is a school-readiness program that provides education and support for young children and their families. The scholarships are awarded to celebrate the success of individuals involved in Idaho Head Start programs. 

Cara Bray, a family advocate at Sandpoint Head Start, received the 2022 Head Start Parent Scholarship from the Idaho Head Start Association. Her son, Grady, has autism and requires assistance to accommodate his needs. During COVID-19, his daycare was closed, and Bray was laid-off from her job.

Searching for a care facility, Bray said that in most cases, there were either no spots available or the centers couldn’t aid Grady’s needs. 

Then Bray found Sandpoint Head Start and quickly enrolled her son. After Grady was enrolled, Bray came to the center to ask questions about the program and childcare. This led to Bray’s interest in applying and, later on, accepting a position at the center. 

“I’ve told my supervisor when she enrolled my son, she actually enrolled two people because I had a brutal childhood,” Bray said. “I was very standoffish and closed off, but this gave me a safe space and allowed me to open up and grow.” 

A year and a half later, Cara Bray is pursuing a degree in social work from NIC.

A Bonners Ferry High School senior, Neveah Elliston, was awarded the Idaho Head Start Association 2022 Head Start Alumni Scholarship. Elliston commented on her gratitude for receiving the $350 scholarship. She plans on using her scholarship award to study psychology at North Idaho College before transferring to the University of Arizona.

From left, NIC Head Start Director Beth Ann Fuller, Bonners Ferry Head Start Cook Sarah Elliston, Idaho Head Start Association Executive Director Bill Foxcroft, and Bonners Ferry High School senior Neveah Elliston pose for a photo during the ISHA awards banquet in Boise on Feb. 23

She attended Head Start at Julien Buch Early Learning Center in Bonner’s Ferry at four years old. Her mother, Sarah Elliston, is the center’s cook.

“I don’t remember much, but a really vivid memory is of these sensory activities where they put shaving cream on a desk and had us write letters in it,” Elliston said. “I just remember having such a blast and that it was so messy.” 

Elliston said she has returned to Head Start over the years to spend time with her mother or help out. She said that she looks back at her time at Head Start fondly.

“The classrooms have changed a little bit, but it blows my mind how small everything is,” Elliston said. “Memories are weird because I don’t remember anything being that small, but I do remember teachers being so positive and encouraging.”