Since the beginning of the Woods community our mascot, Timber the Wolf has embodied our school’s values of togetherness, inclusivity, and honor. From my kindergarten class, I remember how exciting it was to high five Timber at events like the annual 5K, basketball and volleyball games, and Grandparents’/Special Friends’ day.
Now, I feel that we have lost this sense of community as Timber has become a ghost of the past. There are times where students will wear the costume to support school activities, but I believe that making Timber a permanent member of school events will rebuild and encourage students to participate in activities like the annual 5K, dodgeball tournament, Pie Day, Cotton with Cotton, and many others.
Many seniors like myself have complained about the low engagement levels in the high school for sports games, school dances, and events. “If we want to keep our sport teams at number, we need to show out to support them,” echoes senior Anna Stuntebeck. One solution I have for all of these concerns is to revive Timber. Assigning one student to be our mascot would become a symbol of our school spirit. This person would embody “The Woods Way” and be a consistent presence at events until they graduate.
There have been many efforts among the high school student council to reward students for showing up, but that misses the point. It shouldn’t be a chore to go to these events, it should be a memory – a time where you can look back at the end of the year and think to yourself, “That game was so thrilling, I can’t wait for the same feeling next year.”
Previously, my sister, Jenna Apolito (StuCo Vice President 22-23), heavily advocated for our community and suggested to Mr. Bryan that we should order a new costume for Timber. As a result, she officially assumed the position of mascot. But this was over three years ago, and it’s imperative that we rebuild this enthusiasm.
Some students might think that having a mascot is pointless and weird, but I would argue that Timber is a huge part of our Woods identity. We need someone to help restore our culture and relationships with one another through active engagement and partnership. My question for you is: are you willing to step up?
