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| Go Tigers! |
WAB has a new tiger prowling WAB's rugby fields, basketball and volleyball courts, as well as at other ISAC, APAC and ACAMIS schools. For the first time in WAB history, the WABX Department has its very own life-sized mascot--an orange tiger with a huge grin that "makes you want to smile," according to Nina, one of the two Grade 12 students selected to "be" the tiger this sports season.
It was Nina, in fact, who encouraged the WABX Department to introduce a "live" mascot to the school through WABX activities. She was inspired by another team's mascot while attending a basketball tournament last school year. She was amazed, she said, how much school spirit and excitement the mascot stirred up among the players and fans.
"The mascot makes the games more fun, especially when little kids are among the fans."
Nina, a self-professed sports fan, has yet to perform before an audience, but she's looking forward to her first game, a volleyball match, in the coming weeks.
"Inside the mascot," she said, "You don’t have to make sure you’re smiling all the time. The tiger has its own big, goofy grin."
The tiger's mouth doubles as the eye holes for the person inside, explained Donny, another Grade 12 student who embodies WAB's Gong He spirit and cares passionately about supporting his classmates and school teams. "It took me a while to get the hang of wearing the suit," he said.
Nina immediately laughed, recalling the sight of Donny holding onto his big tiger head with two furry paws while attempting to run around the HS Gym during an assembly.
"The suit gets hot," Donny said, "but there's a small fan built into the head, and you can wear an ice vest to help keep you cool."
Based on Donny's performance at the ACAMIS Soccer Tournament last spring, keeping cool is important. He was one of the HS students who showed up, repeatedly, to cheer on players at the multi-school tournament held on WAB's sports fields. "I realized that not enough people were cheering for their team. So I had my friends paint tiger stripes up and down my arms and a big "WAB" on my chest. Everyone loved it. People started cheering."
WAB fans and sports boosters can catch the WAB Tiger at various upcoming sporting events. Until then, Donny and Nina are both focused on exercising their leadership skills by running for student council. When asked if they had anything to share with the school, Donny immediately chirped, "Vote Donny for president!" Nina echoed, "Vote Nina for secretary!"
Both students hope to attend university next year to study international relations or management. Lianxi wishes Donny and Nina a good year and hopes they gain great experience dealing with the "international relations" of propagating school sports and spirit!