Voices for Education: The Graves Family

The Graves Family Ralph Graves, Jr. (1941), Thelma Graves (1919), Douglas Graves (1944), Jeanne Nichols (1944), Carlos Martinez (1995), Melanie Martinez (1995), Tim Graves (1987), John Brandt IV (1993), Lucky Brandt (1969), Mike Graves (1969), Marcia Graves (1971), Robert Brandt (2000), Frank Pfefferkorn (1973), Brandon Graves (1993), Donna Graves (teacher/librarian 1951-91), Patsy Pfefferkorn (1973), Doug Graves (1986), KayLee Graves (2024), Josie Graves (2026), Chad Graves (1991), Nancy Brandt (1971), Jody Northcutt (1995)

In Kooskia, the Graves family has been proud recipients, patrons, and providers of educations for over 100 years. The schools in the Clearwater Valley really are a part of our history.

Since around 1919, many generations, beginning with Thelma (Trenary) Graves (class of 1919), have crossed the threshold of Kooskia/Clearwater Valley schools. This lead to many more graduates from following generations passing through the doors of these schools as well as surround communities and around the country and includes all the opportunities that have come along.

In the late 1940s, when the original Kooskia High School was destroyed by a fire, the community came together to create classrooms, including the second floor of the Opera House, which at that time was the Graves family hardware store. Several other businesses opened their doors for classroom spaces as well.

During this time, the Graves family's contributions extended beyond providing space. They owned and operated a sawmill business, and donated lumber to construct add-ons to existing structures that provided more classroom spaces.

In the 1950s, Doug Graves (class of 1944), began his teaching career within the former School District 241. He then become the principal of Riggins High School. In the early 1960s, Doug advanced to the position of Clearwater Valley Administrator.

Meanwhile, Doug's wife, Donna Graves, initially served as a first through third-grade teacher at Clearwater Valley Elementary School and become the librarian at the high school in 1962 where she retired in 1991.

Continuing the family tradition of education in the Clearwater Valley, Doug and Donna’s granddaughter, Melanie (Graves) Martinez (class of 1995) started her teaching career in Elk City as a primary school teacher. Melanie worked her way up to take on the role of the principal of Clearwater Valley Elementary School and Elk City School in 2023.

When Doug and Donna moved back to the Clearwater Valley from Riggins, they acquired the property next to the current Clearwater Valley High School. The Graves family has shared a fenceline with the school for over 60 years. Whether it was Friday night lights at the football field and any other sporting or school event going on, we were there or knew about it.

The “School” is part of our life. It’s just a given.

With all that said, this isn’t a family history lesson. This is merely an explanation of what these schools mean to us. Any other family that’s been around for a while has similar stories where the school is part of their story.

While many have articulated the reasons why this levy needs to pass much better than I; the absence of sports, long-distance bussing, and lack of AP classes are just some of the potential consequences if it fails. Vital services like EMS in the valley may suffer, particularly as EMTs with children move out of the area.

There is no reason to beat on a dead horse. Instead I pose a simple question to voters:

Do you prefer to either continue or start your own local history like our family did, or not?

Choose wisely.

VOTE YES!

Doug Graves (Class of 1986), Kooskia - On behalf of the family and extended family (Brandt, Martinez, Pfefferkorn)