“LET’S GO HURRICANES!!!!!!” the crowd cheers, as we make our way down the field. “GO, GO, GO!!!!” we all scream, as we’re 3 yards away from making a touchdown. The closer the boys’ get the more wild the stands go. The people in the stands aren’t the only ones getting rowdy, however. You look over on the sideline to see the school mascot jumping around going crazy. That mascot out there pumping up the crowd isn’t someone’s over enthusiastic parent. In fact, it is WHB student and fellow senior, Alex Shoten.
The idea of the Mascot was born in 2009 when the Booster Club had excess money in their account and was looking for something to spend it on. Someone then suggested that we create a Mascot. Everyone agreed. When it came time to designing it, the board turned to then senior (and AP art student) Tom Sanna. Tom said the shape of the mascot, which is the symbol for a hurricane, was “easy to make.” The face however, proved to be a difficult job for Sanna. After tons of trial and error faces and features, the mascot we now all know and love has a face many others also know and love. If you look closely, you will see that Mr. Hurricane has the face of a character from South Park, an idea Sanna thought was great.
The first Mascot, Kevin Haley, set the bar pretty high. Alex Shoten, however, was able to take that bar and raise it to an even higher level. After the mascot’s début at the class of 2009 Graduation, Luke and I thought it would be a great idea to ask the questions people have always wanted to know. Shoten was the perfect person to ask.
How’d you get the job of being the famous Hurricane?
“I got the job because Mrs. Masterson came up to me and said… ‘SHOTEN, you’re a funny kid, you’re in the mascot suit this year!’ I couldn’t say no. “
What’s it like in there?
“It is actually fairly roomy, soft and really hot. It’s also pretty hard to walk in because the leg space is very small and my calves are very big.”
They say the average temperature for a costume like that is 103 degrees. Any truth to that statement?
“Yes. The statement is completely true. It is like the fourth level of hell. And the more time I spend in there, the hotter it gets. Also the time of day makes the temperature vary. It’s obviously going to be hotter when I’m dancing in the sun then when it’s a cold winter night.”
How do you keep cool?
“Ohhh, that’s simple. I use the secret cooler hidden inside of the suit. Just kidding. I don’t keep cool at all. I do drink ice-cold water before and one when I get out though. That sorta helps…but not really.”
Do you ever wish you could be up in the stands with the rest of the school?
“Sometimes, but its more fun to be silly and playful and plus I usually see my friends regardless because everyone somehow knows that I’m the guy in there.”
What is your favorite move? Dip it low, bring it up slow?
“Yes, that is my favorite move. I can get pretty low if I do say so myself. And I also love getting high-fives…if that even counts as a move. I think it does…”
The next time you see the mascot, give him a high-five…he loves those! Also give him some credit. Dancing around and staying enthusiastic isn’t always easy, especially when its 103 degrees. Kudos to you Shoten! Keep up the good work!
And for any underclassmen: you have some big shoes to fill! If you think you can do the job Shoten has become so good at, talk to Athletic Director Ms. Masterson. She’d love to hear from you.