ROAR Together: Building Idaho’s Future with Rural Communities South Fremont

We are excited to launch a series spotlighting our incredible community partners through the INCLUDE project. This initiative connects rural Idaho communities to expanded educational opportunities, health services, and critical resources. By highlighting these communities, we celebrate the dedicated efforts of those working to uplift, educate, and support Idaho's youth. Join us as we share a bit about the communities who are helping to ensure a brighter future for all Idahoans.

Introduction

The East Idaho region features outstanding school districts and some of the finest educators that you will find anywhere. In June 2025, we had the opportunity to meet with representatives from five of these school districts. We discussed their vision and their success in helping students excel and to reach their professional and educational goals. What stood out was the intense effort to help students in all areas of their lives. While the approach, programs and specific needs of each school may differ from one to the next, timeless principles never change. As we listened to these individuals tell their stories, we could sense the drive and the deep commitment to ensure that every student was provided with the best opportunities and resources available to reach their full potential.

Another recurring theme was the relationship between these schools and Idaho State University, as it is often the main destination for graduates who are a good fit for ISU programs and who wish to study in close proximity to their home communities. All of the staff that we spoke with emphasized the quality work ethic that their graduates learn and rely upon in these rural settings. Perseverance is a prerequisite for many students who are often first-generation college students, but who receive support and guidance from individuals like the ones we encounter in this series of articles. The staff and students at these schools are a source of pride and inspiration, and we cannot thank them enough for their generosity and authenticity as they told their stories. We wish them well as they continue their journey with their students together.

South Fremont High School: Growing Futures, Grounded in Community and Vision

In the rich agricultural heart of Saint Anthony, Idaho, South Fremont High School stands as a vibrant hub of education, tradition, and innovation. Under the leadership of Principal Drex Hathaway and Superintendent Dr. Brandon Farris, Fremont County Joint School District #215 is investing in students, teachers, and the community’s future, rooted in small town pride and a shared vision of what it means to be a graduate.

Dr. Farris, originally from Jerome, Idaho, is an Idaho State University alumnus who holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from ISU. He leads the district with nearly 20 years of experience in education, including roles in special education and school administration. “We want our schools to be the places where teachers want to come, be treated professionally, and feel supported,” says Farris. “Teaching is difficult. If you do not feel supported, you are not going to stay as a teacher.”

This philosophy drives a district wide push for retention and professional development of educators, alongside deep investments in facilities and programming. A ten-year infrastructure plan, supported through Idaho’s school modernization funds, is bringing big changes to South Fremont. The school is building a new auxiliary gym, modern CTE classrooms, and a greenhouse, each tailored to meet the needs of a diverse and skilled student population.

“This community has changed, but it has not,” says Principal Drex Hathaway, who was born and raised in Saint Anthony and taught science in Fremont County for over two decades. “I have memories of going to all the schools I now work in. It is still a small school feel, your teachers know your parents, your friends are your neighbors. That is a huge advantage.”

That small town connection runs deep. From sports to academics to the arts, students are supported by multiple generations of family, business owners, and community members. “There is unreal support from every direction,” Hathaway says. “We have strong farms, strong businesses, and strong schools.” Many coaches are volunteer community members, former students who now give back with passion. South Fremont is known across the state for producing top tier baseball players, thanks in part to strong local investment in its athletic programs and facilities.

South Fremont is also expanding its Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in ways that respond directly to the needs of the community. Students can now pursue a certified law enforcement pathway in partnership with local agencies, preparing them to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. “Our local law enforcement came to us,” Hathaway says. “They said, ‘We cannot keep these jobs filled.’ So we are responding. These kids will be certified and job ready.”

The school also continues to offer new dual credit opportunities, including a chemistry course launching this year, to support college bound students. “We are doing everything from preparing welders to supporting future engineers, doctors, and lawyers,” says Hathaway. “Our students have a strong work ethic. The easy road is not their first choice.”

That mindset aligns with the district’s comprehensive Vision of a Graduate, a framework developed collaboratively by teachers, parents, and district leaders. It identifies six key attributes for every Fremont County graduate: critical thinking, work readiness, social skills, respectfulness, problem solving, and effective communication. “We are proud of that vision,” says Farris. “It defines what we want our students to carry with them.”

Community events remain central to the school’s identity. Whether it is the Fourth of July parade with its elaborate floats, the 24th of July celebrations, or the county fair where students shine in 4H and FFA, the community shows up. Parents participate in everything from the PTO and booster club to prepping events and chaperoning trips. “The building never shuts down,” Hathaway says. “The parents are here for everything.”

The district is also launching a new online learning program to provide greater flexibility for students. Teachers are trained and ready to support migrant and multilingual learners as well, with many converting assignments into students’ home languages. “All of our smaller populations are involved in sports, BPA, FCCLA,” Hathaway notes. “That is incredible.”

Programs like the SHARE Scholarship and the local education foundation also reflect the district’s long-standing commitment to educational access. Families contribute 350 dollars in a student’s freshman year, and by senior year, the student has 1,000 dollars to support postsecondary goals. These funds also help teachers access resources and experiences not covered by the district budget, from field trips to classroom tools.

Farris sees Fremont County as a hidden gem with unmatched outdoor opportunities and strong ties to Idaho’s university system. “My wife and I are both Idaho State University alumni,” he says proudly. “I threw javelin for the ISU track team. We are Bengals through and through.” The district maintains active relationships with ISU and other nearby universities, creating a pipeline for students to pursue higher education while staying connected to their rural roots.

“We are small town America in an awesome way,” Farris says. “Our sporting events are the event of the week. People come even if they do not have kids in school. They just want to be part of it.”

In Saint Anthony, where students still take two weeks off each fall for the potato harvest, education is not a detached institution, it is embedded in the community’s identity. It is in the fields, in the parades, in the welding sparks of the CTE shop, and the applause of the auditorium. It is in the pride of a town that shows up for every play, every game, every student.

With its strong academic and vocational programs, family centered culture, and enduring community support, South Fremont High School continues to honor its past while building a future where every graduate walks out confident, capable, and connected.

About our contributors:

Md Masud Un Nabi “Shuvo” is pursuing a Doctor of Arts in Political Science at ISU. He holds an MA in Communication from ISU and both a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Mass Communication and Journalism from Khulna University, Bangladesh. With a background in journalism, he is passionate about storytelling that amplifies voices, informs communities, and inspires positive change, combining academic insight with practical experience to create meaningful content.

An accomplished English language editor, educator and author, Jason Kindree brings a diverse skill set to any project he is engaged in. He is a Research Fellow in the doctoral program in the Political Science Department at Idaho State University, with a focus on Global Security and US Foreign Policy. Prior to arriving at ISU, Jason spent time overseas in South Korea teaching English as a second language. He returned to the corporate sector as a senior English editor/writer and manager of special projects. He has experience as a business and government consultant, and in developing writing workshops and conceptual frameworks for scientific government agencies and writing business plans and proposals. He is currently working on various research projects and attending academic conferences with the aim of publishing in scholarly journals in his field.