Community ‘adopts’ high school seniors by sponsoring banners

BELFAIR, Wash. — A local community is making sure high school seniors know they’re not forgotten.

Copy That Reprographics in Belfair is creating personalized banners filled with pictures, names and high school mascots for students, like Ruth Peters, whose senior year was cut short because of COVID-19.

“There's a lot less of the celebrations, the prom, the graduation,” said Peters.

Peters is a senior at North Mason High School. She's wrapping up 12th grade with distance learning.

Seeing so many seniors in the same boat inspired Keri Dekker.

"I just thought, we need to figure out something that is going to bring some hometown pride and get everyone excited and behind these seniors,” said Dekker.

Dekker is a bus driver at Grapeview School. She saw signs online and thought it'd be nice to buy them for students.

She took the idea to Smith at Copy That Reprographics.

"Just a small banner makes a huge impact on a senior,” said Smith.

Smith designed signs and word started to spread. People began adopting seniors by buying banners for family, friends and even people they've never met.

"It's a materialistic thing, but it meant so much to me and when it came to me in the mail I was so happy and so excited, just that little piece of celebration I was really thankful,” said Peters.

Smith is sending out more than 100 banners. One is going all the way to a senior in Japan.

"A lot of them don’t even know it’s coming and they get a banner in the mail and they’re just so excited,” she said.

Seeing pictures of smiling seniors holding up their banners proves they're still making memories outside of the classroom.

"I can hold onto this and remember, yeah my senior year may not have been what I wanted it to be, but it was still special to me and important,” said Peters.

Adopting a senior is $35. People don’t have to live in Mason County to sponsor a student or to request a banner.

All the information can be found on the sales section of the Copy That Reprographics website.

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