The Clarkston High School wolf mascot had the skills to entertain.
It could cheer. It could dance. It could bring a smile to any face.
But the wolf lacked one thing’a name.
The CHS Lead Program decided it was time to give it a name.
‘We asked students to pitch names that they thought would be cool, something that would be a representative of our school and something that would be cool,? said junior Ryan Allor.
All of the names went onto a list and LEAD voted on which names were the best.
They put the names on a ballot and asked students to vote on a name during last Friday’s lunch period.
Students had four names from which to choose: ‘Wolfie,? ‘Big Blue,? ‘Wolfgang,? and ‘Howler.?
The votes were counted and ‘Wolfie? came out on top.
‘I feel like it’s a better representation of our whole school coming together to vote on a name,? said senior Allie Browe, the student behind the mask this year, making appearances at the home football games and school activities.
‘In the past, people would volunteer for games and would walk around. I walk around and greet the kids and I’ll do dances on the track or whatever. It’s a really cool feeling because it’s my senior year, and it feels awesome to be the Wolf of Clarkston. It’s exciting at the games when everyone cheers for me,? said Browe.
LEAD bought a new wolf costume three years ago.
‘We bought it for all of Clarkston as a fun icon. The community is so connected to this school. There is so much spirit for Clarkston and our teams and our clubs,? said Aaron Dobson, LEAD Advisor.
The mascot wasn’t used on a regular basis and LEAD decided it was time for a change.
‘This year, we really made an effort to start using it more, especially at the games and especially since a few of the kids wanted to get involved as the mascot,? said Dobson.
Also, with the change came the idea to give the wolf a name.
‘We thought it should have an identity to really be an icon of the school. We want to make sure students have a say and have a part of the big fun decisions we do in the school,? said Dobson.
The next project for the LEAD Program is putting together an Elementary Leadership Conference. They will visit each of the Clarkston elementary schools and teach third- and fourth-graders about leadership.
‘We feel that it will be important for them to grow as leaders,? said Allor.
Wolfie is finishing the football season and getting ready for basketball to begin. The furry mascot is available for any Clarkston school and community event.
Contact the LEAD Program and Dobson at dobsonaj@clarkston.k12.mi.us to invite Wolfie at an upcoming event.