Kids to Know: Remembering Jacob Ari Kamis (2006-2022)
From the pride that filled Jacob Kamis as a toddler when he wore his very first suit and the excitement that grew with a perfectly rising cake that he baked in the oven to the vast sense of freedom that surrounded him when he flew a plane, Jacob lived in awe of the world’s wonder and beauty. With adoring parents that supported his dreams and encouraged his creative brilliance, Jacob’s meaningful legacy endures through a student photography contest that honors self-expression and advocates for mental health awareness.
His mother, Katherine Alano, and father, Jeffrey Kamis, share more about their son and how a partnership with Hillel Academy Tampa and Florida Museum of Photographic Arts honors his memory.
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Tell us about Jacob and the person he was.
Jeffrey Kamis: Even as Jacob fought his illness, he was always focused on taking care of others. If you were having a tough day, he was ready with a hug or words of encouragement. Jacob made a connection with everyone he met, from toddlers to senior citizens. He made everyone feel like they were the most important person, and he loved listening to and learning from everyone he met.
At just 16, Jacob demonstrated skills far beyond his age. Please describe his passion for baking and flying, and what he did with these unique talents.
Katherine Alano: I like to say that Jacob was an old soul. At the age of 3, I bought him his first suit, and he wore the suit jacket everywhere we went. He loved looking like “James Bond.” Jacob later developed a passion for baking when he took interest in baking Christmas cookies with me that we packaged and gave as gifts to our neighbors.
He later found a YouTube channel called “The Preppy Kitchen.” That’s when he really evolved into a great baker. He followed the videos and made the most amazing cakes, cookies and breads. He baked cakes for all of us on our birthdays.
Jeffrey Kamis: When Jacob turned 13, he expressed interest in being a pilot. We found a local flight school in Atlas Aviation where he took lessons, and his excellent skills in the air had him on a path to earning his private pilot’s license. He told us that one of the reasons he loved flying was because when he was up in the sky, there was nothing else around and he felt freedom.
Jacob also loved photography and had an exceptional point of view. How did you first discover how gifted he was behind a camera?
Katherine Alano: Jacob’s gift for photography came very naturally. As soon as he picked up a camera, a Canon EOS Rebel T6, he was taking the most incredible photos. He just had an eye for beauty, and regardless of what the subject was, Jacob made it beautiful.
That’s how I came up with the theme for our first photography contest, “Through Their Lens,” because every time I look at Jacob’s photos, I feel as if I’m looking at them through his eyes.
Channeling his photography interest, you have developed incredible programming in his memory. Please share what this is.
Katherine Alano: In honor of Jacob’s passion for photography and his deep compassion for others, we have channeled his artistic spirit into programming that supports youth mental health and crisis intervention. One of the central initiatives of the Jacob Kamis Memorial Foundation is a photography program that encourages young people to use creative expression as a form of healing.
Just as photography allowed Jacob to capture the beauty in the world, this program helps children and teens express their emotions, reflect on their personal journeys and find solace through art. It’s more than just a creative outlet; it’s a means of self-exploration and emotional resilience. Through exhibitions and workshops, the program also raises awareness about mental health challenges and encourages openness and dialogue in the community.
What is the best way to honor his legacy and everything he cared about today?
Katherine Alano: By continuing the work that reflects his compassionate heart and his creative spirit. It’s about supporting young people who, like Jacob, may be silently struggling and giving them the tools, resources and outlets to express themselves and seek help when they need it.
His legacy lives on through every life that’s touched by the foundation’s efforts, every photograph taken by a young person in the program, and every family that finds hope and healing through the resources we provide.
Jeffrey Kamis: In his honor, we’re dedicated to helping others so that no other family has to endure the pain of losing someone so dear. Jacob’s light continues to shine through the lives he touched and through the work we do in his name.
The contest, themed “Through their Lens: A Journey of Self-Exploration,” is open to all sixth through 12th graders in the Tampa Bay Area, with entries now being accepted through Jan. 10, 2025.
Students can enter the contest and find out more information at fmopa.org.
Photo Credit: Jeffrey Kamis | Originally published in the November 2024 Issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.