Donuts and pictures: Mat-Su father, daughter continue longtime first day of school tradition

There are some traditions you never grow too old for.

About an hour before students were set to arrive for the first day of school at Knik Elementary, Dean Beaulieu met his daughter Kayla Thompson near the front entrance with donuts. Beaulieu snapped a photo of Thompson in front of the school, just like any proud dad would on the first day of school.

It’s a tradition that’s spanned more than two decades, since Thompson’s first, first day of school as a kindergarten student at Pioneer Peak Elementary. Thompson is 29 now, and is in her seventh year of teaching in the Mat-Su Borough School District. But to Beaulieu, Thompson will never be too old for donuts and a picture on the first day of school.

“She’s my sweetie,” Beaulieu said.

Each year, as she started a new school year at Pioneer Peak, Colony Middle and Colony High, Thompson would get her donut and Beaulieu would get his photo. Beaulieu still has all the photos somewhere, he said. Beaulieu continued when Thompson started her teaching career at Meadow Lakes Elementary seven years ago.

“I think I just laughed when he said I’ll be at school tomorrow on my first day of teaching,” Thompson said.

This is Thompson’s first year of teaching at Knik.

“A true first day. I have a lot to learn,” said Thompson, who teaches fourth grade.

And every year, it’s the same flavor of donut.

“I get the sprinkled donut,” Thompson said. “Always sprinkles.”

It’s a tradition Beaulieu continues to cherish.

“I love it. She’s my only kid in Alaska now,” said Beaulieu, who also has a son in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The tradition may not end with Thompson, who made Beaulieu a grandfather when her son was born not too long ago. Beaulieu is looking forward to more first-day donuts and pictures in the future with his daughter and grandchild.

“It’ll be easy. I can get two in one,” Beaulieu said.

Jeremiah Bartz is the Community Relations Coordinator for the Mat-Su Borough School District.