The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has canceled many traditions in Camas and Washougal this year, including high school graduations in June, the annual Camas Days celebration in July, the Washougal Arts Festival in August, sporting events throughout the fall and even big family gatherings this Thanksgiving.
It seems unreal — not to mention unfair to small business owners trying their best to keep the doors open during this global pandemic — to think it was only six weeks ago that Gov. Jay Inslee loosened COVID-19 restrictions across the state, reopening movie theaters and libraries, allowing more people to dine indoors at restaurants and letting real estate agents resume in-person open houses.
If there’s one thing Camas students have learned this year, it’s that things don’t always go according to plan.
Jacques Badolato-Birdsell had hoped to lead the Camas High School football team to a second consecutive 4A state championship this fall. But after the COVID-19 pandemic forced the postponement of the prep football season, the senior running back has had ample time to reflect on his passion for the sport and the importance of his bonds with his teammates and coaches.
Hundreds of Camas-Washougal kindergarten students experienced their classrooms for the first time this week, after leaders in both school districts OK’d the reopening of school buildings for their youngest learners.
The presidential election is over, but the country — and even our own small piece of Southwest Washington — is still very much a house divided.
