According to the calendar, fall is just around the corner. Here in Texas, it’s still going to feel like summer for a while yet, but the first day of school is just a couple of weeks away for most districts in the area, and the start of the school year brings with it the most sacred of high school traditions: Friday night football.
We are super-involved band parents, which means that we get to spend time on the sidelines helping our kids’ band get all their gear on and off the field for its halftime performances. And what we have observed, up close, is that there are a lot of people on the sidelines of a high school football game. Obviously, you’ve got the team and coaches, but there are also athletic trainers, medical personnel, security officers, reporters and photographers from print and broadcast media, the chain gang that keeps track of the first-down marker, ball boys, some folks whose purpose on the field isn’t easily determined…easily more than a hundred people, just on one side of the field.
Then there are the spirit squads, cheerleaders and other student groups whose job consists of getting the crowd fired up at critical junctures during the game, and to celebrate when their team scores or keeps the other team from scoring. And then, roaming about among the cheerleaders and the other spirit leaders, wordlessly doing their jobs, are the mascots. Inside these hot, heavy costumes are students whose faces are covered, often giving them the anonymity to “be crazy, which is something that I’m normally not,” as one local high school mascot said.
The WACOAN extended an invitation to area mascots to take part in a photo shoot and interview session in the second-floor photo studio at WacoWork, a co-working space on Columbus Avenue. Eight mascots showed up to take part in the fun. They obviously brought along their bulky, colorful costumes, in tubs and bags, and one student even had her outfit in a large rolling trash can.
Meet a few of the students behind the mask who will be on the sidelines rallying the crowd this season.
Lily Dean
Bruceville Eddy Eagle
Sophomore
Favorite subject
Art. I just like to be creative
What is something funny about you
I like to dance — anything that people will laugh at — and be weird
What do you like about being a mascot
I like to make people laugh and make kids laugh
Maddison Hajek
Connally High School Cadet
Junior
Favorite subject
ROTC. I do everything for ROTC. It gives me drive and something to do outside of school.
Plans
It’s a shocker. I want to join the military, either the Army or Air Force.
What do you like about being a mascot
Being able to hang out with my friends as the mascot, and I can be funny or silly without the embarrassment.
Derek McLennan
La Vega High School Pirate
Junior
Favorite subject
Science and chemistry, because I want to go to college and major in neuroscience and business and entrepreneurship.
Plans
I want to open a business to study neuroscience and do research on the brain.
What makes you laugh
When little kids get scared (of the mascot costume).
What do you like about being a mascot
I like the opportunity to be on the news, and it’s made me open up more and find my personality.
Skylar Richard
Robinson High School Rocket
Freshman
Favorite subject
Math. I’m good with formulas and I want to be an architectural engineer.
What’s something funny about you
I’m too energetic.
What do you like about being a mascot
I can release all my energy and people think it’s funny.
How did you get chosen as the mascot
I was the only one that tried out.
Nicholas Cooper
Waco High School Lion
Sophomore
Favorite subject
Science. I like playing with all the tools.
What do you want to do after high school
Go play basketball somewhere, like Baylor.
What do you like about being a mascot
Having fun with the kids.
Emma Glass
Crawford High School Pirate
Senior
Favorite subject
Ag classes. It’s just something I’ve always loved.
Plans
Something with agriculture, probably with sheep.
What makes you laugh
(Awkward silence). Her mom, Erin: Awkwardness. Emma: Laughs.
What do you like about being a mascot
I can be crazy, which is something that I’m normally not.
Kaitlyn Quinton
McGregor High School Bulldog
Sophomore
Favorite subject
History. I like learning about things in my history.
Plans
I want to go to UT and become a lawyer.
What makes you laugh
Almost everything.
Why did you want to be a mascot
I wanted to take a different approach. I wanted to be a part, but I didn’t want to cheer.
Lillian Lowe
Vanguard College Preparatory School Viking
Senior
Favorite subject
Anatomy. I really liked the material, and my teacher, [Mr.] Lefebvre, was really funny.
What is something funny about you
I play the bassoon.
What do you like about being a mascot
I did a parade once, and I got to hand out candy to kids.
