Looking out through the mesh-covered eye holes, the student animating the DGS mascot maneuvers through the crowd. Greeted with high fives, hugs and pictures, community members young and old interact with the costumed entertainer. Many are attracted to the antics of the mascot, but the real intrigue lies in the performer’s journey and experiences inside the costume.
Mascots are a key component of bringing communities together and eliciting spirit. Ranging from pro leagues to high schools, every form of community has a mascot to proudly represent and unite them.
For DGS-it’s Marty the Mustang; he appears at all major school events including spirit assemblies and home football games. Marty the Mustang has been a spirited staple for almost 10 years and has successfully supported the community during ever-changing times.
Senior Emily Makenas personified Marty during her sophomore and junior year. She performed at many home football games both years and was Marty during the 2022-23 homecoming parade.
…I was so excited to see people without them knowing it was me in the suit.”
— Makenas
“I decided to be a mascot because Mr. Peterson said I would be the perfect fit. He reached out at a tennis match, and I ended up being Marty the following Friday. I immediately jumped in and loved being Marty; I was so excited to see people without them knowing it was me in the suit,” Makenas said.
Being Marty, however, comes with its challenges, specifically finding ways to communicate without speaking. Mascots refrain from talking in order to keep their character intact.
“What’s very difficult for me as the mascot is not talking. There are so many incidents as a mascot that you run into where you wish you could just speak up for and the students and older kids take advantage of that fact that you can’t talk,” Passi said.
Makenas relies on simple gestures to communicate with the community.
“When people ask me questions while I’m in the suit I can only nod my head or give a thumbs up or down for my responses,” Makenas said.
The presence of a mascot signifies the importance of an event and intensifies excitement.
“When a mascot is at an event, any event, it makes the event seem like a bigger deal and important. We want everyone to know that when Marty is around that event is a big deal and they are a huge part of it. Marty represents the love DGS has for the community and how we appreciate all the support the community gives us,” Quatman said.
Marty represents the love DGS has for the community and how we appreciate all the support the community gives us.”
— Quatman
For many, the experience of bringing Marty the Mustang to life will remain a mystery. Only a select few know what it truly takes to step into the mascot’s iconic suit in hopes of upholding a long-lasting legacy, and that is a big suit to fill.
