Growing up in Riggins, Idaho, a town of around 400 people nestled along the Salmon River, Rylee Walters has learned the value of community, hard work, and seizing every opportunity available to her. A student athlete and active leader at Salmon River High School, she fills her days with basketball, volleyball, track, 4-H, Student Council, National Honor Society, and Sources of Strength. When she is not busy with school or activities, she finds peace in the outdoors, spending time in the mountains or out on the river with friends and family.
Rylee first began taking IDLA courses after her school counselor encouraged her to try an online class. She shared, “Thanks to her, I started taking classes because I wanted to challenge myself and get ahead on college credits.” For Rylee, IDLA offered something her small rural school simply could not: a wider range of subjects that aligned with her interests and helped her prepare for the future.
That first step opened the door to an even bigger opportunity. “When I first heard about the chance to earn my associate’s degree, it honestly sounded impossible,” she said. “But the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.” With the flexibility of online learning, she was able to balance college-level coursework with sports, leadership activities, and her regular school schedule, something that would have been much harder without IDLA’s support and structure.
Throughout her academic journey, Rylee found tremendous encouragement from the people who supported her. “The teachers and mentors through IDLA are always quick to respond and willing to help whenever I need it,” she explained. Her site coordinator, Sydney Allread, has been especially impactful and “goes above and beyond to help me stay on track and always checks in when I need guidance.” Family and school staff also played a crucial role by reminding her of the importance of her goals and motivating her to continue progressing.
As she prepares to graduate high school with an associate degree already completed, Rylee feels confident in her next steps. Her psychology course, one of her favorites, strengthened her interest in kinesiology and physical therapy, and her IDLA experience helped her develop time management, organization, and personal accountability. She also discovered something meaningful about herself. “I’ve learned that I’m capable of more than I thought,” she said. “Taking college classes while still in high school can be overwhelming, but it’s shown me that with discipline and consistency, I can handle hard things and still succeed.”
Rylee now encourages other students to take advantage of opportunities through IDLA and dual credit programs. Her message is enthusiastic and direct. “Do it! It might seem intimidating at first, but it’s so worth it,” she said. She believes that students who stay disciplined, ask for help, and utilize available resources will be amazed at what they can accomplish. With her goals clearly in sight and a strong academic foundation, Rylee is ready to continue her journey with confidence.
