School spirit, determination, and motivation are three qualities essential for a school mascot, according to North Harford’s current mascot.
The Hawk mascot is required to wear the Hawk costume and attend each home football game to make the crowd go wild.
“If the people in the stands shout, I have to try to be excited and match their reactions,” comments the Hawk.
The mascot is also tasked with pumping the crowd back up if they are reacting poorly to a play.
This year’s current mascot believes that while he has all the qualities needed for being a mascot, there are a lot of difficulties that he did not expect.
The Hawk shares that it’s hard to drink with the head on.
“I wish someone could get me a bendy straw for my water bottle,” jokes the mascot. He also added that he would want a helper to walk around with, especially in the stands.
He also says that while he is walking around in the stands, some parents get mad at him because they think he’s not doing his duty as a mascot.
“I need someone to walk around with me so they can defend me, since I’m not supposed to talk while being the mascot,” according to the Hawk.
Not surprisingly, the mascot says that it is difficult to see; he said he has to tilt his head a certain way to try and get a clear shot of things. He also struggles walking up hills because his feet do not have good traction, so he sometimes trips over his own feet.
Even though some kids think it’s lame to be the mascot, the mascot says “It’s fun, and it’s really an out of this world experience.”