Q: What is being the mascot like?
A: Being the Mascot for a school like WJ is amazing, as you get to be the face of a school that enrolls over 3,000 students. Football games and pep rallies are my favorite times of the year, because those events showcase the spirit that all WJ Wildcats have deep down inside them. I love high-fiving and taking pictures with people too. Putting a smile on people’s faces when they see me is rewarding as the Wildcat.
When you’re standing on the football field in the midst of a Friday Night showdown, the atmosphere is something unreal when the whole student section brings the energy. Overall, being the school’s mascot is a very hard and busy job, but it’s well worth it.
Q: What is the strangest thing someone has done to the mascot during football games?
A: Expect the unexpected when starring as a mascot during football games. Probably the funniest thing that’s happened to me came during the Homecoming football game this year against Whitman. I had a fan reach out her hand over the fence separating the bleachers and the track, and as she called my attention she waved a Nerds Gummy Cluster and offered me to take it.
Note to self: Mascots love candy, especially an energetic one, so I took her up on her offer. Huge shoutout to the fan who gave me candy in the middle of a football game.
Q: Which WJ sport do you think is the most underestimated?
A: There are too many, but I don’t think people give cross country or wrestling a lot of love. Neither of those sports have high attendance or status, but both require so much grit and struggle to be able to succeed; they are undervalued for that reason. Honorable mention to swim, since their practice schedule is as wild as a wildcat.
Q: What were your thoughts on the SGA Homecoming Movie?
A: I thought the Homecoming movie was very good, and there were some scenes that I really enjoyed. My favorite part of the movie was the rap battle between Lottie and Clifford (vice presidents), which was no doubt a masterclass performance.
Other highlights in my opinion include the teacher interviews at the beginning, as well as the ending where the SGA and senior class worked together to ultimately save Homecoming. Special shoutout to the presidential debate between Anna & Mya which I made a cameo appearance in as the moderator.
The movie was very well edited with some very smooth transitions, and the scriptwriters crafted some banger lines that made me laugh while watching. Hope you enjoyed it, WJ!
Q: What is your biggest advice to WJ students?
A: Life is going to be hard. You’re going to have days where you’re a step away from quitting or giving up. In times like these, remember how far you’ve come in life, and remember that if you can make it this far, you have it in you to keep going. All WJ students go through unique struggles, and to me, the drive and persistence to carry on is the marking of a true Wildcat.
