2017-2018 Tiger Keepers
- Senior Editor: Gracie Gilchriest
- Jan 18, 2018
- 5 min read
[Left to Right: Chris Lemus, Cody Camden, Corinne Chustz, Gracie Gilchriest, Scout Bebee.]
Scout Bebee, Junior.
How many years as a Tiger Keeper:
2
What made you decide on becoming a Tiger Keeper?
I decided to be a tiger keeper the end of my eighth grade year, haha! I saw them at football games and it looked so fun!
Are there any traditions before or after games you do with your fellow Tiger Keepers?
The only tradition we have is bringing the tiger to the game... we should definitely start some though!
What are some of the main things you do as a Tiger Keeper?
As tiger keepers we set up the tunnel the football players run through and run the spirit flags when they make a touchdown.
What are some of your favorite things about being a Tiger Keeper?
I love being able to be on the field with the players!
How do you like to share Tiger Pride to the fans?
I am a major yeller! Haha! I would say that's how I share my tiger pride.
What is the process of taking the tiger places?
The tiger stays on a trailer that makes it easy to get off of the main trailer and onto the track.
Do you have to practice running to get in shape for running the flags?
Absolutely not!
Do you feel like a role model to the community?
I wouldn't necessarily say a role model.... But I hope that in some way we share our love of Silsbee Tiger football with others!
What do you think you provide the crowd at football games? (do you give the crowd more spirit?)
I can! I love to dance to the band music! Not gonna lie! Haha
Who on the Tiger Keeps crew has inspired you the most?
Baylee Griffin, who graduated in 2017, is probably who inspired me.... she was always willing to help and ALWAYS had the most spirit.
Gracie Gilchriest, Junior.
[Left to Right: Rosie Bonnette (Tigerette) and Gracie Gilchriest
How many years as a Tiger Keeper:
This is my second year!
What made you decide on becoming a Tiger Keeper?
I wanted to be involved in the Friday Night Lights! I saw students doing it when I was younger and I thought it would be a cool way to be involved!
Are there any traditions before or after games you do with your fellow Tiger Keepers?
We always go out to eat. Most of the time it's Whataburger. #ad
What are some of the main things you do as a Tiger Keeper?
We carry the tiger to games and home games, blow up the tunnel for the football players, occasionally hang the game signs, and run the flags when we get a touchdown!
What are some of your favorite things about being a Tiger Keeper?
I love being able to see the game up close and personal, and to be active in making the game flow for the people watching!
How do you like to share Tiger Pride to the fans?
I like to dance with Scout Bebee to the band and cheer for my team!
What is the process of taking the tiger places?
It sucks. We have to drive the trailer careful, unload everything we need from the trailer (ie. Tiger, tunnel, cords, cooler, etc) and carry it to where the home team wants us to set up. Currently our mini trailer for the tunnel is broken so we all have to carry it by hand. :(
Do you have to practice running to get in shape for running the flags?
Luckily I run cross country, so I count that as my practice.
Do you feel like a role model to the community?
I feel like we do. We are represented in front of the Silsbee community, and like my younger self, what we do can inspire the young kids to join Tiger Keepers and be involved in high school activities.
What do you think you provide the crowd at football games? (do you give the crowd more spirit?)
I feel like we definitely do! Kids always get excited about the tunnel, and the crowd knows when to cheer when we run the flags!
Who on the Tiger Keeps crew has inspired you the most?
Definitely Mr. Bottoms, if you do not mind me being a cliche. He is so caring and so compassionate about our school and our sports; his school spirit is contagious. He truly is like a fatherly figure to me, and I care for him so much.
Shaelyn Whatley, Senior.
How many years as a Tiger Keeper:
2
What made you decide on becoming a Tiger Keeper?
I saw people running flags my freshman year and I decided that looked like a fun way to get involved in the "Friday Night Lights".
Are there any traditions before or after games you do with your fellow Tiger Keepers?
We usually goof off while loading and unloading the trailer before and after games!
What are some of the main things you do as a Tiger Keeper?
The main thing to do as a Tiger Keeper is to have fun and to take pride in your work! We carry the tunnel, mascot, flags and air horn to each game, and use these things to spread the Tiger pride.
What are some of your favorite things about being a Tiger Keeper?
My favorite thing about being a Tiger Keeper is the people. I love this group of people and the memories we make every Friday. Most of the times we're laughing at what we do wrong which I'll admit, we make a lot of mistakes, but that's okay because we shake it off and learn from it!
How do you like to share Tiger Pride to the fans?
I like to share the Tiger Pride with fans by keeping a smile on my face and running our team's flags with purpose. It might be a simple task, but it's more than just running, it's showing enthusiasm for something that people put their time and enjoyment in.
What is the process of taking the tiger places?
Oh boy.. If you only knew. I'm pretty sure that thing weighs about 100 pounds. The only hard part is getting it on the trailer to pull to the place we set it up, but one time we had a flat tire and had to carry it by hand. Let's just say, it took three of us to carry it and our hands looked like prunes when we were done.
Do you have to practice running to get in shape for running the flags?
No, it helps if you are physically in shape, but most of the times the adrenaline from a touchdown or the team of football players running behind you is enough to keep you going until you make it back to the flag holder.
Do you feel like a role model to the community?
Yes, I do. I feel like someone that makes a difference behind the scenes. People don't usually look when I'm unfolding the tunnel, but they see the tiger standing tall. When I'm running the flags they see the huge flags more than they see me, but I am a representative of the flag and what it stands for (school spirit) during the whole game.
What do you think you provide the crowd at football games? (do you give the crowd more spirit?)
I definitely think we provide more spirit at the football games. We don't whoop and holler at the crowd to get them hype, but we add to the celebration after every touchdown and enhance the pride of being a Silsbee Tiger.
Who on the Tiger Keeps crew has inspired you the most?
Cody Camden. He has been the most loyal and dedicated Tiger Keeper that I have seen making him valuable to our team! He's been a Tiger Keeper for so long, he understands what it means to have Tiger pride and to represent it well.
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