Lions! Tigers! And Bears! Oh, my! Lions! Tigers! And Bears! Oh, my! They represent spirit, motivation and unity. They are the school mascots and their goal is to generate excitement and energize the masses and the athletes.

Ruth Alexander, a professor at the University of Florida, says the history of a school mascot began in the early intercollegiate sports when schools needed a way to set apart their school, to develop something unique to each school. Ivy League schools such as Yale, Harvard and Brown were the first to utilize mascots. The mascot for one’s alma mater quickly became a phenomenon growing among families as each sibling followed in an elder’s footsteps through the world of education.

Babies and pets now sport the purple and gold, black and gold, red and white colors of the family’s favorite high school, collegiate or professional sporting team.

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The high school students who portray mascots take their school pride one or two steps further. Most don a large, bulky costume of a wild animal or insect, completely obscuring the student’s identity.

Kaytlan Maturin, 15, a 10th-grader at Assembly Christian School and the daughter of Tonya Skelton, is one of those school-spirited students who go an extra mile for the pride she has in her school.

“I thought it would be fun to try out for the mascot,” Kaytlan said. “I’m glad I did. When I can get the crowd pumped up, it is really exciting.”

One of the drawbacks is the hot environment the costume creates, Kaytlan, ACS’s Lion Mascot. The suit is in sections and is very furry.

“It’s kind of hot and it itches,” she said.

She said she is the only mascot person for the school and has begun to work with the cheerleaders to learn some of the cheers and chants.

“It’s fun when my friends start calling my name,” Kaytlan said. “The little kids like when I come around them, too.”

Hanson Memorial School Tiger mascot Allison Vaughan, 17, said she always wanted to be the school mascot. Last year, she participated part time. The senior is now the ful-time Tiger mascot.

“Being the mascot lets you express yourself in ways you might not normally do,” Allison said. “It’s fun and it’s a way for me to show my school spirit. I like kids and the little kids love it when I come around. They all want to take their picture with me.”

Allison, the daughter of Marnie and Alan Vaughan, will have to hang up the Tiger suit when basketball season rolls around. She is a member of the Hanson Lady Tigers basketball team.

At New Iberia Senior High School, Malerie Judice and Thomas Sumrall, both 15, are 10th-graders that share the Yellow Jacket mascot duties.

“It has always been something I wanted to do,” Malerie said. “When I saw they were holding tryouts, I went for it.”

She said she likes when the little fans want to meet her and take pictures with her.

Thomas said he likes to be in front of crowds so it is easy for him to portray the school’s mascot.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for me to show my school spirit,” Thomas said.

He also likes the fact that he can get close to the action of the game. It is not just the crowd he wants to pump up, but the athletes as well.

Malerie, the daughter of Tracy and Matt Judice, and Thomas, the son of Linda and Gerald Sumrall, would like to return next year as the school mascot. Right now, both are looking forward to the indoor season of basketball.

“Under that big head, there is no ventilation,” Malerie said. “It can get really hot under there.”

Next time you are cheering for the home team, give a little cheer for the spirit leader on the field, the school mascot.