By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News
Under a nearly cloudless August sky with temperatures hovering around 80 degrees, the Youth Center beside Tulalip Bay became the place to be on Wednesday, August 19. The annual Back 2 School Bash, hosted by the Tulalip Tribes Education Department, brought together hundreds of local students and their families for an afternoon designed to make the transition from summer vacation to a new school year a little more exciting.
Inside the Youth Center, rows of backpacks awaited their new owners. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade had an assortment of styles and brands to choose from, including recognizable names like North Face and Nike. Among the most sought after were vibrant Native designed backpacks from Skyn Style, offering students an opportunity to carry their school supplies in something that represented their culture and identity.
Once a student found the backpack that caught their eye, they could head over to the school supply stations and fill it with essential items needed for the upcoming year.
For some families, the anticipation started long before noon, the official start time for the backpack distribution. In fact, there were two momma bears and their numerous cubs who showed up promptly at 7:30am. They were the very first to lineup outside the Youth Center’s doors.
Valerie Alcombrack did an admirable job keeping her five bear cubs entertained while waiting over four hours. “Getting a close parking spot was definitely a priority, but so is getting in and out as quickly as possible. It’s really keeping the kids busy that’s the hardest part,” admitted Valerie. “I brought more than enough snacks and toys to get them through. Once these doors open, my boys know they’ll have first pick at the backpacks.”
Trishtan Jones-Charles, who waited patiently with her baby swaddled comfortably at her chest, added “I agree that getting in and out quickly is a priority. So is ensuring my daughter gets her pick of most girly backpacks available.”
Outside, the scene had less of a school supply giveaway and more of a summertime carnival. The grassy area surrounding the Youth Center was transformed into a playground of attractions. A petting zoo gave children the chance to get up close with animals, while a towering rock-climbing wall challenged young adventurers to reach the top. A zip line offered another opportunity to soar, while multiple carnival rides spun, twisted and carried parents and children around and around.
The pure joy and excitement were hard to miss. So were the aromas coming from the covered food area, where yummy was served fresh off the grill. Families could enjoy a free lunch featuring hamburgers and hot dogs, with no need to worry about the cost of feeding a family during an already expensive back to school season.
And because no carnival is complete without something sweet, students could cool down with free snow cones, choosing their own flavors and creating colorful combinations to match their mood. Cotton candy provided another sugary treat as children moved from one attraction to the next.
“This is such a beautiful thing. The Tribe is really going all out to get our community together outside one last time before school starts up,” shared papa bear Michael Monger. “From the bouncy houses and ziplining to the DJ music and science setup, they really have something for every age group.
“My kids had been counting down the days to backpack day,” he continued. “They all got up around 8am this morning, excited to get ready and get down here so they could get their backpacks and school supplies. I can tell just by how they are carrying their backpacks around that they are not only proud but ready to get back to the classroom. I’m thankful to everyone who helped put this event on for our kids.”
Adding another layer of discovery to the festivities was the Seattle Pacific Science Center, which brought a STEM focused activity booth to the Youth Center. For young participants, science was transformed from something found inside a classroom or textbook into something they could interact with and explore themselves. The hands-on activities captivated curious minds and encouraged students to experiment, ask questions and discover how much fun learning can be.
For families who have attended the Back 2 School Bash year after year, the event has become an important part of the annual back-to-school routine. Matriarch Sharmane Joseph has two kids who have already graduated high school and two more that are elementary-aged. She reflected on how much things have changed since her oldest two took part in backpack day.
“My oldest is 26 now. There weren’t many resources available to her back then because this event was still in its infancy stage; it was just beginning,” reflected Sharmane. “Now, my youngest are 10 and 6 and there is just so much support and resources available to them. Sure, there are a bunch of backpacks to choose from, but much more than that are all the community resources that are available to support their educational journey. It really is amazing when you think about how far we’ve come.”
The support extended beyond the Education Department staff and event organizers. Tulalip leadership made a point of being present and participating directly in the distribution. Chairman Hazel Shopbell and Secretary Theresa Sheldon dedicated their lunch hour to standing alongside staff and personally handing out backpacks to students.
Rather than simply stopping by for a photo opportunity, the two tribal leaders spent their time greeting families, helping students select their backpacks and making sure young people received the supplies they needed before heading back to school. “It’s phenomenal to be a part of this and witness just how excited the youth are to be going back to school. It’s one thing to hear parents or grandparents speak of the excitement, it’s a whole other thing to see it first-hand,” shared Chairman Shopbell. “There were so many smiles and so much positive energy shared by the kids as they got their back-to-school necessities.”
The Back 2 School Bash is certainly about backpacks, pencils, notebooks and making sure students are prepared for their first day. But those tangible items only tell part of the story. For Education Director Jessica Bustad, the larger meaning of the annual gathering can be found in the way the community comes together around its young people.
“Our Back 2 School event is one my favorite events of the entire year,” said Jessica. “Getting students and their families excited about education, reconnecting with familiar faces and connecting with new ones, all while creating a platform to come together and uplift our students…it’s just an amazing time of the year.
“We expect to serve between 1,000 to 1,200 students at this event,” she added. “Seeing the kids light up when choosing their new backpack is just so heartwarming because our mission is to let them know just how special they are, and how incredibly bright their future is. That backpack isn’t just an essential school item, it represents them knowing their Tribe and community supports them and all their academic hopes and dreams.”
As the afternoon continued, children zipped through the air, climbed toward the top of the rock wall, circled around on carnival rides and gathered around the science activities. Parents visited with one another, plates were filled at the barbecue, and freshly made snow cones melted beneath the warm August sun.
For a few hours, the Youth Center grounds beside Tulalip Bay became a place where the pressures of a new school year could wait. There was time instead for children to play, families to connect and students to choose something that would accompany them into the classroom. A backpack. A handful of school supplies.
And perhaps most importantly, the reminder that when our students head back to school, they do not go alone. Behind them is a community willing to invest in their education, celebrate their accomplishments, and help make sure they have what they need to succeed.