A new student leadership program has started in the Upper School, and this one is full of spirit.

Organized under the Student Affairs committee of the Governing Council, Upper School students can now apply to be the longtime Kinkaid mascot, Freddy the Falcon. 

Freddy can be seen at events such as football games, pep rallies, Field Day, the art car parade, and other campus events. The new mascot program aims to boost interest in portraying Freddy among the high school students.

Applying to be Freddy the Falcon has become a formal process that includes an announcement to the student body.

“Our mascot is the falcon, so having someone in the costume and starting a new tradition is a good thing to do,” Upper School Director of Student Life & Engagement Mrs. Erica Baker said.

The selection committee is looking for a student who is interested in becoming the mascot and who values school spirit.

“We want someone who thinks about how they could use the mascot to boost school spirit and school pride,” said Mrs. Baker, adding that Kinkaid’s core values should also be represented.

The name of the student who becomes the mascot would stay anonymous and through the application process, different students could become Freddy, giving multiple students opportunities to get in the costume.

“Sometimes people can act out towards that person,” Mrs. Baker said. “Keeping Freddy anonymous also keeps the fun in it. It keeps things exciting and keeps students guessing who it could be.”

The presence of Freddy at school events impacts both Upper School and younger students.

“When younger students see Freddy coming, it brightens their day and makes them smile. They love interacting with Freddy. It definitely increases excitement and enthusiasm, especially if we can get Freddy involved and interacting with people,” Mrs. Baker said.