At football and basketball games, the sight of the Wilsonville High School mascot always brings excitement to the stands with his peppy and energetic attitude. This year, the mascot has been taken over mostly by the cheer team, with different people participating in wearing the costume. 

There are a lot of great things that come with getting to be Willy. “Interacting with people and them not knowing who you are feels crazy,” said McKenzie Darby, a freshman cheerleader who acted as the mascot for a game. 

The persona behind Willy is overflowing with pep and excitement. This bright personality breaks the ice between awkward standing and fun-filled cheering by the student section.

Hanna McLean, another freshman cheerleader, also participated as Willie the Wildcat. She stated, “I really liked getting to feel the energy from everyone in the stands.” 

Interactions with spectators at games are one of the most important things the mascot is expected to do. McLean continued, “Little kids will come up to you and you just engage with them.” Darby added to this, saying she also enjoys greeting people, taking pictures, and high-fiving fans.

But, being Willie the Wildcat isn’t always easy, spending hours in a stuffy costume, expected to be upbeat an entire game. “The worst part is how hot it is in there, especially when the head of the mascot is so big and hard to see out of,” added Darby. 

McLean stated, “Because you’re supposed to be hype the whole time, it can definitely get a little tiring.” But, both students understand the importance of staying pumped for the game to provide the best experience for fans. 

Having Willie the Wildcat present betters the event for everyone in the stands. Sophomore Kaylin Fransone said, “The Wildcat is really fun and entertaining, you can tell how much everyone likes seeing him.”
Fransone is also a cheerleader and says she can even notice a difference in the student section from the sidelines. “It makes people more interested in what’s going on in the game when the mascot is there to hype everyone up.”

Overall, that is what Willie should do, is bring energy to our student section and be a symbol of our school’s community. “The wildcat is a reminder that we all go to the same school and we’re all here for the same reason,” continued McLean. 

A shared love of Willie the Wildcat can pump up the stands and create a sense of togetherness during games.