APNewsBreak: Tiger mascot at issue in Ohio exotics crackdown
Source: AP BIG story
By KANTELE FRANKO
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) A school that uses a live tiger cub as a mascot has been warned it must submit more documentation to continue that tradition without violating Ohio's law on dangerous animals.
Records obtained by The Associated Press show the Massillon Washington High School booster club that provides the tigers is among over a dozen animal owners contacted by the Ohio Department of Agriculture in recent months over compliance concerns.
A recent ODA letter says the boosters claimed an exemption but must provide more proof. It requests affidavits indicating the school's tiger would live at an accredited facility and be cared for by the school throughout its life.
It's not clear how that request might affect the live-mascot tradition this year. School and booster club officials didn't respond to messages seeking comment.
Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/fcb0a9abbfb447098ee990ce994485b9/apnewsbreak-tiger-mascot-issue-ohio-exotics-crackdown
MADem
(135,425 posts)Brother Buzz
(36,215 posts)Navey Baker, a senior at Gilbert High School and the schools legendary Tiger mascot, has truly revolutionized what it means to be a high school mascot. Her efforts to rally the entire student body in supporting each other have not gone unnoticed, and now Navey will be starring in the upcoming second season of Hulus original documentary series Behind The Mask premiering February 26th. The show explores the lives of mascots who go above and beyond to make the characters they play truly iconic. Gilbert Daily PRSS had the opportunity to interview Navey about her life as a mascot and learn more about Behind The Mask.
When did you start mascotting? What inspired you to become a mascot?
I started being a mascot in sixth grade at Houston Elementary. The interest started in 2nd grade when I first went to Houston Elementary, because every Friday the mascot walks around the school and gives everyone high fives and I thought Oh, thats fun! I want to do that. Thats kind of when it first started, and I was growing up and going to Suns games and Diamondbacks games and seeing their mascots and what they do just made it look so fun. So when sixth grade came I became the Houston Husky and from there it just flourished.
How long have you been doing this at Gilbert High School?
I started my Freshman year and Im a Senior now so about four years. The first semester of my Freshman year I used their [the schools] costume, and then Christmas of that year my parents bought me my own suit. So the suit that you will see on the show is the one I actually own. Here and there youll see the old suit worn by a little kid who likes to do it we call him Baby Tiger and we have a freshman who comes out and he does it too. But yeah, the suit that youll see I actually own, and the old one is the schools.
Whats your experience been like as a mascot at Gilbert High School?
My mascot experience at Gilbert High has been phenomenal. The students are just awesome: they support me, they love me, and when I ask them to do certain cheers and do certain things they go along with it like when we do Rollercoaster, they do that with me. Its cool. I feel like Im a leader, and I like it [laughs]. Its kind of like being on a rollercoaster in a sense. Its just all this adrenaline and you get to go crazy and just have a ton of fun with it. Theres never a dull moment when youre in the suit.
- See more at: http://gilbert-news.dailyprss.com/tabs/blog/2015/02/interview-with-navey-baker-gilbert-high-school-mascot-and-star-of-behind-the-mask#sthash.9WFn2riv.dpuf
MADem
(135,425 posts)She can move--and she's TALL, too--she's as tall as some of those players before she puts the tiger head on!
thatgemguy
(506 posts)Money spent would be better off buying books for the library. Massillon is one of those "football is king" schools where no expenses are spared for the game.
stonecutter357
(12,682 posts)KamaAina
(78,249 posts)AngryDem001
(684 posts)I'll raise him or her to hunt Republican scum!
yellowcanine
(35,692 posts)Dress some kid in a tiger suit and be done with it. Sheesh. You could have try outs and everything. It is the perfect role for the kid who is interested in athletics but not so good at it but is good at acting.
pstokely
(10,510 posts)?
Marrah_G
(28,581 posts)Judi Lynn
(160,217 posts)shouting, other loud, terrifying noises would be traumatic to it. What a thoughtless, cruel idea.