Most schools have an animal they can easily represent with a mascot: the Justice wolves, the Falls Church Jaguars, the Edison Eagles etc. Each of these schools can be represented with a physical animal mascot but what happens when your school does not have a traditional mascot like this?
Two years ago, everyone loved our spirited student, Tim Hurd, who rocked a bright red tutu and two hula hoops crossed around him like a pro. His goofy moves and infectious energy made every game a blast and every pep-rally even more fun, but when Tim graduated in 2022, the school was suddenly mascot-less.
The absence of a physical mascot in 2023 left students feeling a bit lost, and now a year later, we still do not have one.
Determined to find a new symbol of school spirit, students brainstormed wild ideas. Some volunteered that putting a student in a giant inflatable hamster ball decorated like an atom could work, or simply just finding someone new to rock Tim’s epic atom look.
When asked what his next plans would be for getting a physical mascot for the school, Principal Shawn DeRose said, “I do not know if we have any formal plans on who replaces Tim or having a formalized mascot, but I am absolutely open to the idea. Whatever someone comes up with, if they want to pitch me an idea for a mascot, I’m all for it!”
With that encouragement, leadership students should throw a competition, inviting everyone to submit their ideas on what to elect as AHS’ physical mascot.
