Bravo! Repeat Performance

Good things bear repeating, such as the recent Kraken five-game winning streak and the second school term of the "LETS Play by Symetra" program that blends fun and a purposeful intention to teach kids about leadership (L), equity (E) and teamwork (T) through sports (S).
The Fall 2022 installment of the community LETS Play initiative, an ongoing partnership of Kraken first founding partner Symetra, the Kraken and the Seattle Storm, finished its five-week curriculum for 82 Burien fourth-graders with flair: The students from the Highline Public Schools' Cedarhurst Elementary got to skate on Climate Pledge Arena ice with ex-NHL player and Kraken TV analyst JT Brown, radio play-by-play voice Everett Fitzhugh and mascot, Buoy. It was hard to discern which celebrity skater was most popular, but, well, kids so seem to like sea trolls.

For many of these students, it represented a first-ever trip to Climate Pledge Arena. Along with trying out the same "green ice" using Seattle rainwater (the only such rink in the National Hockey League), the Cedarhurst Elementary students heard from Kraken assistant general manager Alexandra Mandrycky while touring the hockey locker room.
Mandrycky emphasized the importance of leadership and teamwork as key elements to building out a brand-new sports franchise while personifying the concept of gender equity in sports front offices. After lunch in the arena's Symetra Club, students were surprised by Storm center Mercedes Russell and team mascot, Doppler, not only meeting and greeting but getting a photo with both. All that, plus a parting gift of a backpack for every child, filled with Symetra swag.

The successful fall term for LETS Play marks a second-straight result of engaged students, life skills gained and uplifting fun for all. The program debuted last spring with 75 students from the Highline Public Schools' Midway Elementary in Des Moines. Highline Public Schools serves youth in Boulevard Park, Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac and White Center. Highline Schools serve nearly 18,000 youth, including 79 percent students of color, across 35 schools.
In earlier weeks, the students participated in a launch event at Cedarhurst Elementary featuring speakers from the Kraken and Storm, plus appearances from the mascot duo of Buoy and Doppler. Cedarhurst Elementary School Principal Alyssa McCaslin hosted the special assembly - there was clear enthusiasm generated from the fourth graders - joined by representatives from Symetra and both teams, plus radio personality and Seattle Storm emcee Shellie Hart, a Cedarhurst alumnus.
Sharmila Swenson, Symetra vice president of public affairs and social impact, presented Fred Swanson, executive director of the Highline Schools Foundation, with a check from Symetra for $28,000, representing $1,000 for each Storm and Kraken home win during their 2021-22 seasons.
Week 2 was headlined by Kraken youth hockey development coach and U18 national team assistant coach and scout, Katelyn Parker and Storm star player Gabby Williams. They staged what turned out to be a popular Q-and-A session (kids do love to ask questions!) along with Parker and Williams taking part in team-building activities with the students. Two examples: "leadership web" and "creating an indoor rainstorm."

During the next two weeks, the pro sports teams took turns running the fourth-grade PE classes in which the Storm ran a basketball skills clinic and the Kraken introduced the children to ball hockey as a way to learn the rules of ice hockey and get a feel for stickhandling, shooting and playing as a team facing another team.
One big plus for the Cedarhurst outreach: Many of the students were new to the school; the LETS Play curriculum offered both the common experience of learning from a unique experience plus the "T" or teamwork portion presented natural forms of getting the kids to get to know each other and work in a unified fashion.
"We at the Kraken love this partnership with Symetra, the Storm and Highline Public Schools because it proves that we have a much greater impact when we work together toward a shared goal," said Mari Horita, Kraken senior vice president for social impact and government relations.
Symetra's Swenson said LETS Play "builds connections and camaraderie" among the fourth graders who participate each school term: "Our goal is to offer a unique experience for lasting impact. It's thrilling to watch the kids' self-confidence grow over the course of the program as they ventured out of their comfort zone and tried something new - such as lacing up skates and stepping on to the ice for the first time."