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In a performance for the senior dance, Mascot and the Longhorn security perform a dance followed by a stunt taught to them by the cheerleaders. After the stunt fell, they were cheered on by the crowd. “The funniest moment for me was when the cheerleaders had us do stunts for the senior dance. Me and my Longhorn security tried to do a stunt during the halftime of the football game against Central,” Wesley said. (Contact us to claim photographer credit)

The smell of popcorn wafts through the air. Fans fill the bleachers in anticipation of the game. All eyes are on Wesley the mascot as the Longhorn security supports them for a stunt. Wesley topples over, and the crowd gasps, asking, “Are they okay? Who is it?” to no avail. 

The mystery is one of the most time-honored traditions of mascot-hood, and the act passed down without much pizazz. 

“I became a mascot because one of my best friends was on the varsity volleyball team last year. I was going to the game, and I wanted to hype it up as much as I could. My teacher was the volleyball coach, Ms. [Susan] Anderson, and so I had the opportunity [to ask her],” Wesley said.

This impromptu decision turned out to lead to fandom. While the pandemic limited the number of people allowed at sporting events, now that there are more people back, games have led to new experiences.

“There were always the younger kids running around and playing around. Some of the kids I have a secret handshake with. I had a crowd of kids around me, but my vision was so limited that I tried to look at them all, and one time I tried to give a kid a high five, and I knocked them over! I think they had a slushie in their hand, and I was like, “NO!” so I got him a new slushie,” Wesley said.

Meeting with the kids was only one part of the job. Wesley also performed stunts with cheerleaders in a costume that could weigh as much as 50 pounds.

“The funniest moment for me was when the cheerleaders had us do stunts for the senior dance. I and my Longhorn security tried to do a stunt during the halftime of the football game against Central. So, they boosted me up the first time, and, and I just totally fell back, and luckily they broke my fall,” Wesley said.

The Longhorn security is a newer addition to the troop and is identifiable by their Bass Pro Shop hats and black attire. Wesley’s security aims to help them navigate the stands.

“[The Longhorn security,] they walk around with me, they follow me, and they’re super helpful because I can’t see a lot. They move people out of the way a little bit, so I can walk without running into people. They boosted me up for the stunts, and so you have more fun because you can do a bunch of different activities when there are more people,” Wesley said.

 While the job is monitored by staff like Assistant Activities Director Annie Wayland, LOCO sponsor Susan Anderson and Activities Secretary Joyce Debenport, the act of mascoting is left up to student volunteers.

“In the past, Ms. Wayland and I have discussed having some rules or guidelines for a mascot. For example, it would be best if you were very peppy. It would be best if you were friendly to kids. You need to be able to get the crowd motivated positively,” Debenport said.

Now that kids are back in school, Wesley is a popular addition to any event. The staff has been supportive of Wesley.

“As a mascot, I got the opportunity to pump [the crowd] up a little bit and tell them to have fun. I mean, I have a good time, and it’s just fun,” Mascot said.

*The Pathfinder will honor this tradition and protect Wesley’s identity.