Paige Howard

Health teacher and farmer.

Here's Paige (Copple) Howard, an ambitious individual who serves as an inspiration to current students to strive for excellence and take advantage of scholarship opportunities.

Paige graduated from Sultan High School in 2009 and went on to study Elementary Education and Natural Science at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA. After completing her degree, she began her career as a K-12 Health and Fitness teacher while also pursuing her passion for farming as a grower of wheat.

Paige's path to success wasn't typical, as she chose to switch from traditional high school to attend Sno-Isle Tech in their Dental Assisting program. She also took classes at Everett Community College in Running Start, which allowed her to earn enough credits to put her ahead when she began at Eastern Washington University. Although she didn't end up pursuing a career in dental, the program provided her with a valuable experience that she wouldn't change. Paige highly recommends Sno-Isle Tech's programs for students who want to explore their interests and stay engaged in their education.

During her time at Sultan High School, Paige played softball for two years and was also part of the band for one year, where she carried the banner as she had no musical talent. She did not participate in clubs or FFA as she worked at the movie theater in Monroe. Her experiences taught her that the traditional high school path isn't for everyone, and she encourages students to explore their options.

Paige currently lives south of Spokane in the town of Spangle, where she and her husband work on a wheat and lentil farm. They recently renovated their homestead farmhouse and just welcomed their first baby, Grady. As for her future goals and plans, Paige plans to continue her career in teaching and farming.

What does Paige advise to current high school students?

• Explore your options. There are many different ways to get an education, and there is no one right path for everyone. Find what works best for you and don't be afraid to experiment.

• Take advantage of scholarship opportunities. There are many scholarships available to help students pay for their education. Don't be afraid to apply for as many as you can.

• Don't give up. There will be times when you feel like giving up, but don't let those moments stop you from achieving your goals. Keep pushing forward and never give up on yourself.