Behind the Scenes: The Making of Our Mascot!

The mascot cheers the crowd on with the cheerleaders at the Pink Out football game. Photo credit: Panthra Gardineer (12).

In past years, students from Leadership would sign up or be randomly assigned to be the mascot at football games or pep assemblies. This year, in response to feedback and an important lead on a mascot expert received after the Fall Pep Assembly, the Leadership team decided to improve their mascot game. 

“For years we never put much energy into the mascot,” said Leadership teacher Roselyn Robison. “To be honest, we just didn’t really know what we were doing. We put someone in a costume. I would tell them to ‘make big movements,’ and they would do their thing.” 

That all changed on October 2, when Hannah Kirby, a former mascot for the University of Tennessee, led a training session in the wrestling room. 

Kirby discussed how to develop the mascot’s character and elevate their personality to better represent school spirit. Students in Leadership worked with Kirby to create characters and names for each of the two mascot costumes owned by CHS. 

Now, there are two distinct mascots, each with their own personality: 

Kody – motivated, hardworking, funny, energetic, goofy, and clumsy (signature look: football jersey)  Kay – fiery diva, often embarrassed by Kody (signature look: cheer skirt) 

Students who choose to be a mascot must fully embody their character’s personality and remain in character at all times. “We were taught that it is important to stay in character,” said Amaya Blue (11). 

Students learned how to move in the costume, making their gestures large and theatrical. “I thought it was kinda fun how every gesture had to be so exaggerated—the dancing, the waving, the poses,” said Blue.  

They were encouraged to stay active—swaying, high-fiving students, and even dancing throughout events. “I think the training helped us to learn how to make bigger movements in the costume and to be more mindful of the idea that someone is always watching,” said Addison Weaver (11). “If you are the mascot, you should always be doing something and not just standing there.” 

In addition to learning about remaining in character, Kirby taught students about health and safety when performing as a mascot. One rule: hydrate. Hydration is essential because mascot suits can be 30–45 degrees hotter than the room temperature. “I did not enjoy being the mascot,” said Adi Castaneda (12). “It was fun to see everyone’s reactions, but not enjoyable on the inside. It was really hot.” 

Leadership students also created pep squads – small groups of students dedicated to bringing the hype - for each home football game. These squads help to paint faces, decorate and clean up the student section, blow up a special run-through tunnel—complete with smoke machines—for the players, and give away merchandise associated with the student section themes selected by the cheerleaders. 

Professional mascots do not talk, and they never remove any part of their costume—especially the head—in front of anyone. They also do not reveal the person inside the costume.  CHS mascots are applying these rules as they perform at events. 

The mascot takes a picture with Gretchen Leach. Photo credit: Panthra Gardineer (12).

Another change to ensure safety for students who are mascotting at these events: an official helper. Recently, Gretchen Leach (12) served as the assistant to Kay when she performed at the Pink Out football game. “Having an assistant is one thing learned that will help the mascot to be more successful,” said Leach. “When you are wearing the costume, you can’t see or move very easily. Assisting [Kay] was so much fun. It was like having a responsibility for a person who can’t take breaks when needed. I was always on the lookout. She reached out for help when it was needed.” 

The mascot—and football hoopla—has improved as a result of this training, and people have taken note of all the extra effort. “Recently, the Booster Club offered to help fund a new costume,” said Leadership teacher Roselyn Robison. “While we may have updated our mascot performance, I don’t think the costume has been updated in years. It is currently being held together with painter’s tape for events.” 

Students have noticed the need as well. “The mascot costume is a little bulky,” said Weaver. “I kept tripping over my feet,” said Castaneda. 

New uniform or not, students in Leadership are committed to the goal for all mascots: to bring energy, fun, and KODIAK SPIRIT to every event. They plan to continue their pep squad—including Kay and Kody—for basketball season.