This fall, Southern Lehigh welcomed a new addition: the Spartan mascot. Under the mask, sophomores Corey Janda, Ethan Walkowicz, and Michael Partington take turns spreading spirit at school events.

To become the Spartan mascot, students had to audition.  “At the auditions we had to dance and see what  we would do in certain situations, “ Janda said.

Some parts of the audition weren’t too difficult. “We also had to state our name and the school colors,“  Walkowicz said.

The goal for the mascot is to embody school spirit and hopefully inspire students, especially younger ones, who attend events.  “[The] attention [I] get from the kids at the football games makes my night worthwhile,“  Janda said.

Janda, Walkowicz, and Partington all enjoy representing the school, but they agree that there are some challenges on the job.   For one thing, the costume is hot.  Also, “there are some kids that try to take the mask off the Spartan,” Janda said.

While the mascot is new this year, Janda said he hopes the mascot receives more attention in the next few years.

“The mascot should bring more spirit to the schools and during the pep rallies” Walkowicz said.

“Students at the football games chant ‘I believe that we will win,’” Spartan Club adviser Mr. David Dougherty said.  “I want the mascot to represent the spirit of what the students should believe in.”

According to Mr. Dougherty,  the Spartan Mascot will appear at sporting  events, charity events,  and special events throughout the school district.  The mascot has already appeared at the varsity football games and the homecoming pep rally.

High school principal Mrs. Christine Siegfried said the mascot will also be seen at community functions.

The Spartan mascot costume was a gift  from the Southern Lehigh High School graduating class of 2012.