2016 - 2017 Mascot Questionnaires

Name: Alannah Smart

Grade: 12th

Number of Years: 1

• What were your motives to try out for Mascot?

• I have always been one of the more spirited people in my class, and I realized that my class was extremely bad at having school spirit. This bothered me, but I saw that my younger sister was enjoying being the mascot at the middle school. It started as a joke that I was going to try out to be a mascot, but once I saw that I could help fix our school spirit problem it got more serious. I wanted to be involved in pep rallies, football games, etc., and this seemed like the perfect way.

• How did you feel when you made Mascot

• It was one of the happiest days of my life because I had stepped out of my comfort zone and succeeded, something that typically doesn’t happen to me. My school spirit shot through the roof, and I gained so much pride instantly.

• What is the best/worst thing about being Mascot

• The best things about being a mascot are the children that interact with you, the involvement in the community, the representation of our community of tigers as a whole, and the school spirit that Cambrie and I have been able to pull out of our classmates. The worst things about being a mascot are when people ask “is it hot in there” (a question that obviously does not need an answer because what about a solid fur suit is cold?), when children pull your tail or hit your head, and when little kids cry because they see a tiger coming toward them. Of course, some of those kids overcome their fear and that is one of the most rewarding feelings, but the others that continue to be scared make mascots upset.

• Were you a Silsbee Middle School Mascot?

• Sadly, I was not. I can only wish. My sister, on the other hand, is enjoying her second year of being a middle school mascot.

• What is your favorite routine?

• My favorite routine was the Breast Cancer Awareness skit, mainly because it got the entire school’s attention and helped honor those fighting breast cancer and those that had unfortunately lost their fight. In my opinion, it was the most moving skit we had this year and it had a fantastic message and defeating breast cancer. By the way, a big thanks to all of those who participated. It meant a lot. My second favorite skit this year was the Senior Tribute skit. It was so genuine and kind of made me want to cry actually. It made all of the seniors realize that they needed to appreciate the moments they still have in high school and cherish the memories forever. (Sidenote: It also made my mom cry, so that really means it was moving!)

• How do you come up with your routines?

• Depending on the pep rally theme or school we are playing, Cambrie and I first decide what type of theme we want to have (ie: Shadow-Creek Alvin Sharks had a beach themed skit with a shark, the senior pep rally was for seniors, the homecoming pep rally was focused on involving more of the school in what we do, etc.). Then, we look at song options that go with said theme. For instance with the SCA Sharks, we had music such as Surfing USA, the Jaws theme song, and California Girls. We look at a way to put together these song options in away to form a story line. Last, we come up with little scenes to represent our story line and TADA! Mascot skit! Sometimes we get lucky and are able to find already-made mixes and already-made costumes.

• What is your favorite part of being a Mascot?

• My absolute favorite thing is mocking people at football games. That seems really cheesy, but if Mrs. Sapp, Mr. Trevino, Mr. Biddle, Mr. Bottoms, or any of the tiger keepers are just standing on the sidelines, I walk up right next to them and mimic the exact way that they are standing. Being the mascot is my favorite thing, so it’s hard to pick only one thing.

• How do you prepare before you perform?

• I typically drink a bottle or two of water, stretch with the team, put my hair up in a nice, tight bun (because otherwise I won’t be able to see), and then I suit up. Cambrie always helps me suit up and I help her suit up and now we know each other’s routine for putting on and taking off the suit.

• How do you feel at the pep-rally and at the games?

• SWEATY. Honestly though, I feel so proud when I am performing and just in the suit period. I feel like a different person because people love mascots who act crazy. I think that is what makes it so much easier because I am able to be myself.

• Who on the team, adult or not, has impacted you life throughout your years at Silsbee?

• Cambrie and Coach K have impacted my life the most because they have made me a confident mascot and person. I tried out to be a mascot because of Cambrie in the first place, and she helped me with the tryout process as a whole. Coach K made me realize at camp that this was my last year to do something big, so I tried out for All-American mascot and got it! Now, I get to go to Walt Disney World and perform at the Pre-Game performance at the Citrus Bowl over Christmas break. I think the most important impact these two people had were helping me believe in myself and becoming confident, something I was not at all before being a mascot. I can’t thank them enough.

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