Unmasking the Mascot Experience

Did you ever want to know what it is like under the helmet?

When the stands are packed with sports fans, one bushy-eyebrowed face is always nearby, bringing joy and spirit to the Waukee community. Our Warrior mascot represents the school and its teams, and the most recent student mascot is junior Quinn Monson.

When he was asked what it is like to be a mascot, he said, “Being the mascot is a ton of fun. I get to help support Waukee by engaging with kids, athletes, and fans at several sporting events.”

Quinn gets to go all around Waukee, supporting the warriors wherever he goes. Many people wonder how long it takes Quinn to put on the uniform. He said, “It takes several minutes to put on. I have to wear a huge shirt that goes over my knees, a purple belt that goes around my waist, gold armor on my chest, and of course the huge mascot head.”

Many of the Warrior’s fans wonder if it’s hard to see and move while wearing the costume. “I can see decently well,” Quinn said. “The eyes are spotted, so I have limited vision. I can usually see where I am walking but cannot see anything above or below me”. As much as sight may not be a benefit, there are surely others. Quinn enjoys that he gets out of class for mascot responsibilities, “sometimes … even for a whole day!”

One of those fun responsibilities that involved getting excused from school was the Homecoming pep rally tour. “The mascot, football players, dance team, cheer team, and homecoming royalty went on tour around the elementary schools and the middle schools. It was super fun to walk the hallways and see huge grins on the children’s faces when they saw me,” Quinn said.

When Quinn eventually passes the shield (and the rest of the Warrior costume) along to the next student mascot, he has some advice for them: “Wear a lot of deodorants.” It’s also important to be outgoing. “My extrovert personality helps me with my duties as the mascot. I’m always talking to people, always trying to make connections with others. His final words are about when we will see the Warrior again; he said, “I guess you’ll have to find out”.