Boise Twilight was a fun filled and very organized race. The atmosphere, crowd, our support from our directors, sponsors and volunteers, and representing a great organization, Go On Idaho, made my race day much more special. The team as a whole visited with the Go On Idaho organization and learned that they are on a mission to help students first graduate and second, achieve more than a high school diploma. Since many of us on TWENTY16 have graduated from a college or are still working at our degree, we gave suggestions on how to help inform students that going on to college or a trade school will give them much more opportunities than dropping out of high school or just having your high school diploma.

Image: Patrick Sweeney

Katie Donovan talks about Go On Idaho

Go On Idaho was set up by the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation to encourage students in Idaho to continue their education past college.  Idaho has one of the highest high-school graduation rates in the country, but less than one-half of those graduates go on to college.  This has created somewhat of a crisis in Idaho and the main challenge has been convincing students that a higher education is beneficial to them and the community.  The foundation wants students to become aware that a higher education, leads to higher earning power and the freedom to live a better life.  

Go On Idaho partnered with TWENTY16 while we were in Boise for the Boise Twilight Criterium.  We were able to meet with members of the Foundation and talk about the value and importance of mentors.  My experience entering into college was a privileged one and one that I share with many of my teammates.  I come from an educated family --my dad had a PhD in Public Policy and mom has a Masters degree in Education and my older brother has an MBA.  There was never a question of if I was going to go to college, it was where.  Through athletics (I was a swimmer), I started exploring college opportunities at an early age.  I went to swim camps and met coaches. By high school I was going on recruiting trips.  My coaches, my family and my high school advisor all acted as mentors and provided a time-line for applications.  Students in Idaho are not all as fortunate to have the path to college so easily paved out for them.  College is expensive, it is time consuming, and can be overwhelming when you don't know where to start. Many students aren't aware that there are other options besides a 4-year degree.

 In a way, navigating your way through the college application process is a lot like pursuing cycling.  It takes advanced planning and years of commitment.  You can make goals, but without the right guidance, it's difficult to overcome the barriers that get in the way of those goals.  You can't start thinking about college when you graduate high school; you have to start planning a few years prior.

Go On Idaho is a great fit for our team.  We value education and we have our own personal experiences to offer.  TWENTY16 has provided us with the tools, the accomplished educated mentors such as Mari Holden, Kristin Armstrong, Sarah Hammer and Dotsie Bausch and a positive atmosphere where our cycling dreams can thrive.  We want to provide that same kind of experience with the students in Idaho when it comes to their education.