Lake Stevens High School’s mascot fuels Lake Stevens pride, but the hard work that goes into it often goes unseen. The Viking is who everyone gets to see, but people usually don’t see the people helping behind the scenes. These students are role models of what it means to be a Lake Stevens Viking.

Friends of the Viking work hard to help the Viking, Mjolnir, represent the school in every way possible. They dedicate their time to make sure everything runs easily and in a timely manner. From helping the mascot dress for the games/event, to organizing school spirit activities to keeping students involved. Their commitment helps Lake Stevens pride stay alive, even when no one is watching.

“I think we should get more recognition because we do a lot of stuff, like we do a lot of spirit stuff for the school, like helping the mascot…and I think our hard work should be recognized,” senior Filly Ceesay said.

The club is small at the moment, but it is looking to grow its numbers. One key way for school pride to grow is for more people to join the Friends of the Viking. The club offers many experiences that allow students to boost school spirit.

Senior Ellie Tredway, the club’s president, has been a part of the club since her sophomore year and has been working hard behind the scenes at almost every school event.

¨Homecoming game sophomore year was so fun because all the friends got to dress up in our suits and our sunglasses and be on the field, and we were the Viking’s bodyguards,¨ Tredway said.

Being a part of the club not only allows students to help the mascot, but also to participate in events that other students wouldn`t get to be a part of otherwise.

“Every single person at Lake Stevens High School is a friend of the Viking. We’re all friends of the Viking because we are all Vikings. The people who help the Viking, who are in the club, are just taking it to that extra level to carry on school spirit,” Monika Tabor said.

These students who help in the background are working hard to make sure that every school event is filled with fun and excitement. They are the type of people that bring life to celebrations.

In order for students to join the club, they need to complete a Google Form application and then they are interviewed by the current club members and Tabor. Look for applications during second semester.

¨Before we admit people to the club, you have to match the energy of the Viking, but we do want to see more people just involved,” Monica Tabor said.

For now, this club remains small in numbers but large in spirit. Though there might only be a few members, what they lack in numbers is made up for in LSHS spirit and pride.