At a cheer clinic in August for kids ages 5-14, the mascots Parker, Paws, and Katie got a chance to have fun with the kids and bring school spirit. The clinic is a favorite memory of the students in the mascot costumes. The little kids went crazy for the panther mascots and had a lot of fun. These students, freshman Bennie Sweet, sophomore Jeremiah Head and junior Ella Yarbrough, have a goal of making people happy and spreading school spirit.
“I like to talk to people and just interact with people in general,” Head said about being a mascot. “It’s just a fun way to get to support the Kingwood Park culture.”
In addition to cheer and Silver Star clinics, the mascots make appearances at games, pep rallies and other school events. However, being a mascot isn’t always easy. Mascotting can be stressful and difficult, but it’s worth it to the students who get to bring smiles to games and events.
“It was a little stressful,” Yarbrough said about her first event as mascot. “It was still fun, but it was just a bit nerve-wracking.”
Yarbrough and Head also sometimes have difficulty finding people to interact with at games. Students and parents are often hesitant to wave hello or give a high five to the mascots at events, which presents a challenge for the students trying to spread school spirit.
“It’s difficult to find people to do anything with,” said Head. “You just have to stay focused and keep being consistent and persistent, and eventually you succeed.
Hot temperatures in the costumes can be another difficult obstacle to overcome. The mascots have to wear ice vests inside the costume, use fans, and take regular breaks to avoid overheating.
“I wish people knew that,” Sweet said. “I wouldn’t say it’s a sport, but it is an athletic credit for a reason. I feel like people don’t give it enough credit, it still is extremely tiring.”
Ultimately, the students just enjoy interacting with students and making other people happy by mascotting. They regularly attend sports games, especially in the fall, and other events throughout the year.
Sweet, Head, and Yarbrough are all continuing to improve themselves as mascots. Some of their goals are to attend more events, be more in character, interact with more students and get better at dances and skits. They continue in their shared goal of bolstering school spirit and bringing a positive attitude to events and the school.
“It’s fun to just get to express myself in a unique way,” Head said.
