Eighteen-year-old Chloe Bennett, a senior at East Valley High School near Spokane, is heading to the University of Washington this fall to study biochemistry — capping a high school career defined by athletic grit, academic ambition, and a willingness to tackle challenges head-on. Bennett earned Greater Spokane League winter 2025-26 student athlete honors, a recognition that reflects both her work in the classroom and her competitive drive on the mat.
From Cross-Country to the Wrestling Mat
Bennett moved to the Spokane area from the Seattle region in eighth grade and quickly made her mark in athletics. She ran cross-country before discovering wrestling in her sophomore year — a sport she embraced and pursued at a high level. Her performance caught the attention of Simon Fraser University in Canada, which extended a Division 2 wrestling opportunity. Bennett ultimately chose the University of Washington instead, setting her course toward a biochemistry degree.
Alongside wrestling, Bennett competed in track, balancing a demanding athletic schedule with her academic commitments. She also held leadership roles in her school’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program, a college-readiness initiative designed to help students develop the organizational and academic skills needed for higher education.
A Second Chance at AP Biology — and a Point to Prove
Bennett’s academic journey included a notable setback that she later turned into a source of motivation. She attempted AP biology in her sophomore year but stepped away from the course after a single semester. Rather than letting that define her, she enrolled in AP biology again as a senior — one of four Advanced Placement courses she took in her final year, alongside AP government, AP pre-calculus, and AP literature.
“I wanted to prove to myself I could handle that much work,” Bennett said.
That kind of self-imposed challenge is something her teacher, JoAnne Cook, recognized immediately. Cook, who has taught Bennett in geometry, algebra, and AVID, described her student as driven by something deeper than grades. “Chloe is a hyper-determined person,” Cook said. “She has a genuine thirst for knowledge, which is a joy to teach.”
Balancing four AP courses, two sports, and AVID leadership roles would be a full load for any student. Bennett added a job at Walmart handling online deliveries to that mix, managing the kind of time and financial demands that many North Idaho and eastern Washington families know well.
Why Academic Readiness Matters for North Idaho Students
Bennett’s story is a reminder of what’s possible when students receive the right combination of academic preparation and personal determination. It also highlights ongoing questions about whether all students across the region have access to the same opportunities. Too few Idaho students graduate ready for the workforce, and where they live shouldn’t be the determining factor in their preparation — a challenge that programs like AVID are specifically designed to address by building college-going culture in schools that might otherwise see lower rates of post-secondary enrollment.
East Valley High School’s AVID program, through teachers like Cook, appears to be doing exactly that — giving students the tools and support to pursue rigorous coursework and plan for life after graduation.
What Comes Next
Bennett will enroll at the University of Washington, where she plans to study biochemistry. Whether she continues her athletic career at the collegiate level remains to be seen, but her track record suggests she is unlikely to back down from whatever challenge comes next. Her path — from dropping AP biology sophomore year to retaking it as a senior while juggling multiple AP courses, two sports, a job, and a leadership role — reflects the kind of resilience that tends to translate well beyond the high school hallways.
For students and families in Kootenai County and across North Idaho considering similar paths, Bennett’s experience offers a clear message: rigorous coursework like AP classes can be difficult, but the academic foundation they build is worth the effort — especially for students eyeing competitive university programs.