Mascot Showdown: High school mascots battle for glory, a good cause

The fourth annual Mascot Showdown, this year at Dartmouth High School for the first time, saw several of the region’s most spirited school ambassadors compete for school pride.

The competition included a video contest, an obstacle course and a ‘Mario Kart’ style race.

In the end, when all of the points were tallied, Sackville High School’s Kingfisher took the title – meaning 2015’s Mascot Showdown will be at SHS.

Roddy Deleon, from Citadel High School, is the Citadel Phoenix. He said the competition is a great way to bring students from all over the region together.

“I represent pride and the joining of two schools, so strength as well,” Deleon said. “A little bit of arrogance too, but that just comes from me.”

“I’ve done this for three years, and to be honest the first year was a little awkward and kind of a shock, but going into my third year it’s really awesome,” he said. “It’s amazing to be able to go out there, be wild, and be yourself in front of a crowd of people.”

The mascots also included the J.L. Ilsley Judge, the Sir John A. Inferno, CPA’s Cheetah, the Eastern Shore Schooner, Cole Harbour High’s Cavalier, the Prince Andrew High Panther, Lockview’s Blue Dragon, the Auburn Eagle, and Dartmouth High’s Spartan.

“We take any kind of event or championship seriously, so if we can just take one more home for the team then that’s what it’s all about,” Deleon said. “It’s a great event because it shows school spirit and it brings the schools together, not only in a competitive way, but just through showing pride in your school and classmates.”

The crowds of students who packed the Dartmouth High gymnasium nearly stole the show by singing their school chants, sporting team colours, and dancing jovially.

The event also raised $4,000 for Phoenix Youth, the Mascot Showdown’s charity of choice since it began in 2009. The total raised has now eclipsed $12,000.

Robin Levy, Senior Development Officer with Phoenix accepted the cheque on behalf of the non-profit.

“We’ve been involved since its inception at Auburn High School with a student and staff member who dreamed it all up,” Levy said. “They wanted an opportunity that was non-sports based for all of the schools to come together and asked us to be a part of that, and we were so happy to get support from the youth in the community.”

Phoenix has a variety of programs for youth, including emergency youth shelters, employment centres, counselling and more.

“Phoenix is all about supporting youth so they can realize their potential, and having an event like this with such amazing school spirit being shown by all of the students, it definitely speaks to our mission” she said. “It’s just amazing to see an event started by a student has seen such success and support amongst their peers.”