Mukilteo Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

Kamiak's Class of 2021 is missing out on a lot.

Few, if any, of the 500-plus seniors have set foot into a classroom this school year. Their days instead have been spent largely staring at computer screens.

Schools have been unable to host any extracurricular activities, such as dances, plays, concerts and sporting events, due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic.

Though Snohomish County, as part of the Puget Sound Region, last week moved to Phase 2 of Washington's Roadmap to Recovery plan, if

and when high school students will be returning to classrooms has yet to be addressed.

But thanks to the efforts of a dedicated group of mothers, the Class of 2021 isn't being forgotten.

As seniors picked up their textbooks for next semester last week, they were greeted with cheers and signs of support from a group that has dubbed themselves Kamiak Senior 2021 Fans. The group distributed a goodie bag of Kamiak swag that included sweet and savory treats and coupons from LA Fitness, Jersey Mike's and Traxx Racing.

The idea for a community group to support this year's seniors grew out of discussions among several mothers, whose children have been in school together since elementary school.

"We started thinking that they are missing out on so much this year," said Ingrid LeBlanc, one of the organizers. "We started brainstorming and we formed this group."

The core group included about 10 parents. The plan is for Kamiak Senior 2021 Fans to have a special event each month to lift the Class of 2021's spirits.

"Our seniors need us to come together as a community and support their achievements," said LeBlanc, whose son Justin is a senior. "This year has been anything but normal, and it's up to us to make this year special. Our Kamiak seniors are amazing, and we want them to know we love them."

As of Friday, the group has reached about half of the 2021 senior class. Kamiak Senior 2021 Fans also have been having weekly raffles as part of "flocking" events, in which seniors are greeted by purple flamingos and a sign. Seniors take a selfie and tag the photo to the group's Instagram to be entered into the raffle. The idea is the senior moves the flock to a new senior's house within 24 hours.

Students and parents are doing their best to deal with the disruptions caused by COVID-19.

"The kids, they're adapting," LeBlanc said. "Most stuff is up in the air. Some things are coming back. But we don't know what's happening for graduation."

David Pan

Kamiak Senior 2021 Fans volunteers Susy Robinson and Ingrid LeBlanc (right) wait for another senior to stop by on their way out of the Kamiak parking lot.

For some parents, this is the first year they have a child graduating high school. One mother has twins. Another had a child graduate last year and has another this year.

"We're all in a different boat," LeBlanc said.

As word has spread of the group, other community members and businesses have offered their support.

"The school has been wonderful in working with us to reach the seniors," LeBlanc added. "We want to have a little positivity this year. So much is not happening. We've had a great response from the seniors, just thanking us and smiling. It's a great feeling to reach out to the kids."

Kamiak Senior 2021 Fans has a Go Fund account at https://bit.ly/3aJfzqf. The group also is on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3aJfBOT and Instagram at https://bit.ly/3cN1eMd. Businesses that have donated to the effort also include McDonald's, Papa Murphy's, Ivar's, Kamichael's, Tapped Mukilteo, Seattle Boat Compay, Ohh Snip, Matt Martin/Star Farm, and Jim Tinsley/Skyline Properties.