By Darrell Kirk
Sounder contributor
A remarkable wave of community support has secured full funding for the Orcas Island High School track team, with donations totaling over $32,000 coming from multiple sources inspired by one student’s dedication.
At the heart of this success story is Forrest Frausto, who chose an ambitious goal for his senior project last spring: raising funds for his school’s track team. Through a sustained fundraising campaign, Frausto raised an impressive $10,800 that was used to purchase hurdles for the program.
In an article he wrote for the Islands’ Sounder on May 4, Frausto explained his motivation: “For my senior project, I will be raising money for the track team. We have the basics to get by, but we need additional equipment before we can host a home meet. For example, we only have enough hurdles for one lane, so we can’t run a race. I run the hurdles, and this would be really special for me because in our first year, we had no hurdle coach and not one real hurdle.”
“Forrest’s campaign really brought the community together,” said Amy Carlson, president of the Orcas Island Booster Club. “He had many people contributing to that senior project. It was truly extraordinary.”
A pivotal moment in Frausto’s fundraiser came when the Henigson family stepped forward partway through the campaign to match his total at that point, contributing approximately $4,000. The Henigsons’ generous match helped propel the fundraiser forward, though donations continued to flow in even after their contribution, ultimately reaching the $10,800 total.
The momentum generated by Frausto’s project inspired others to contribute. An anonymous donor, moved by the community’s support for the track team, contributed $10,000 at the end of the school year. Head coach Frank Rohm shared part of the donor’s letter at the Celebration of Success ceremony.
“This anonymous donor was inspired by Forrest, by Remy, by the Henigson family, and by the whole community rallying behind the track team,” Carlson explained. “They saw what was happening and wanted to be part of it.”
Most recently, the Madrona Club donated $12,000 directly to the Booster Club for the track team. The funds come from the estate of Larry Parker, a 1952 OIHS graduate and lifelong island resident known for his many talents, interests and love for the community. He passed away in 2023. Parker wanted his money to benefit an organization on the island that would impact the most people. Dorothy Plaister and Issa Parker led the campaign within the Madrona Club to direct these funds to the track program.
Plaister, chair of the Larry Parker Bequest Committee, said, “The Madrona Club is honored to be entrusted with these funds. We hope Larry’s generosity will be remembered as new generations of Orcas Island student-athletes make opportunities and feel encouraged by their community’s support. Let the games begin!”
“The Madrona Club chose to fund the track team because of the tremendous community support system that’s been building around the program,” Carlson said. “There’s been this incredible energy focused on getting the track team established and thriving.”
With the recent passage of the school levy, which includes funding for the shot put and discus throwing area already designed and approved by engineers, the track program’s infrastructure will be complete. The throwing area is scheduled for installation this summer.
Superintendent Eric Webb of the Orcas Island School District, in a letter to the community, praised the support of the levies and community engagement. “Beyond the ballot box, your support shines through in so many ways—through volunteering in classrooms, cheering from the sidelines, attending performances, and showing up for our students time and again. Your continued involvement reminds us that together, we create the kind of school community every child deserves.”
“It’s very exciting for us,” said Paul Steimel, athletic director for Orcas Island School. “We’ve always supported the track program, but being able to take that next step so that we can host home meets has always been the goal. With the passing of the levy and the ability to install throwing pads for discus and shot put, once that’s completed, we’ll be able to host home meets.”
Steimel noted that preparations are already underway. “The hurdles are already ordered and coming in. The Madrona Club donated $12,000 to purchase all other equipment that was requested in order to host a home meet. We’re well on our way. That will all be purchased by the end of this year.”
Head coach Frank Rohm reflected on what this means for the program. “The kids on the Orcas Island track team, and the generosity and support of this community is very special. This will allow us to move forward and host meets in the near future and provide an opportunity for the community to attend track meets without having to leave the island and for our athletes to compete and get home at a decent hour.”
The impact of the track team extends beyond the funding. Since the program started, numerous new student-athletes who had never participated in sports before have joined the team. Last year, the program served 45 students.
“Track is just a different kind of competing,” Carlson noted. “Having this program up and running has brought in so many students who never accessed sports before. That’s really valuable to our high schoolers and middle schoolers.”
The ability to host home meets has generated excitement throughout the league. “The other league members have been asking how close we are to hosting meets,” Steimel explained. “They’re excited about it too. They want to come our way, and it takes the pressure off the other schools of hosting all the meets themselves. LaConner has been one of the main schools stepping up for our league and taking responsibility for hosting meets. This will take a lot of pressure off some of the other schools, and they get to come see the island, which most of the schools love.”
Carlson emphasized that the community’s investment is making a real difference. “At this point, we have the money. All that time and energy that so many people put in has paid off. The track team is fully funded, and we wanted to recognize the main donors who made it possible.”
Steimel echoed the sentiment about community involvement. “I really appreciate the support of the boosters and the community in our athletic program. Without them, we wouldn’t have near the success we have with our athletic programs.”
