COVID fries The Fish
Lake City High students swarm to The Fish after winning the spirit competition at a past Fight for the Fish event. This year's spirit competition has been canceled because of a flare-up of COVID-19 cases.
Press File
Coeur d’Alene and Lake City high schools have canceled their annual student Fight for the Fish spirit competition because of a surge in COVID-19 cases.
The girls and boys conference games will still proceed Friday as scheduled.
"We believe removing the spirit competition portion of this game may reduce the number of spectators and minimize the often large crowds,” Coeur d'Alene Superintendent Shon Hocker said in an email to the school district on Wednesday. “The district and high school administration teams agreed that this is necessary given the surge of COVID cases in our community.”
The school district announced last Friday the possibility of temporary closures due to staff absences from COVID-19 and other illnesses.
“Unfortunately, our schools continue to experience an unprecedented amount of staff and student absences each week,” Hocker said in the Wednesday email.
Hocker said they're open to the possibility of a make-up Fight for the Fish spirit competition later in the school year.
Hocker said he knows many - including himself - will be disappointed with the need to cancel the spirit competition. However, he said they recognize the challenges facing the school district and community. He also said they're supportive of efforts to keep schools open as they experience excessive staff and student absences.
The drawing for the 2021 Toyota Camry donated by Parker Toyota will still be announced at Friday’s game. Those who purchased raffle tickets do not need to be present to win.