Most students’ ideal Friday night consists of hanging out with friends, going to the movies or being at the football game. I, however, have had a different experience on my Friday nights.
Until a month ago, I would lace up a soft grey fur suit and don a matching Bulldog helmet that did not quite fit.
Being the school’s mascot was my calling ever since I came to CHS. I wanted to get involved in the school and thought it would be a great opportunity. I also thought that being the mascot would make me a chick magnet. When the chance to be the mascot presented itself, I immediately said yes.
The moment I got home I tried on the suit only to find I was unable to see straight, move my arms over my head or even pick up simple objects.
I was supposed to keep the identity of the mascot secret and I tried my best, but within 15 minutes of my first public appearance, everybody seemed to know it was me.
Those who didn’t know would go to great lengths to try and figure it out. If I would high-five someone, they would try to rip off the glove. If I would give someone a thumbs up, they would press their face against the eye screen to try and see inside. At times, people would make me show them my shoe because they wanted to see if it matched the one that the Bulldog was wearing.
Another mascot rule is that you can never talk. I would have people ask me to say anything, then position their ears outside of my mouth so they could hear if I spoke.
Naturally, being covered from head to toe in a quilted costume can get pretty hot. When my break time came and I could take off the suit, I would be sweating more than most of the players.
Over time, I got used to the heat and it no longer bothered me, but having no view of what was directly in front of me was something that I never could adjust to. Whoever made the suit conveniently placed both eye holes on the sides of the suit, giving me only a view of what was to my left or right, but not directly in front me.
One of the biggest issues with sight is that I would have no clue what was going on in the game. If I heard the crowd making a lot of noise I would assume it was good for CHS and I would start doing my “happy dance.” It would not be until the announcer said the other team had scored that I would know what happened and realize my reactions were out of line.
As the mascot, I really felt that I was a unique part of every game. I was able to get into every game for free, go anywhere on the field and get support from even the youngest CHS fans. When the little girls who knew nothing about football asked me for a picture, I felt I was helping everyone get involved in the game.
This year, I turned in the paws and let another student take over the prestigious job, giving them a chance to leave their mark on CHS. Being the mascot was hard work, but I will always be glad I did it.