With the new school year came an overflowing number of familiar faces, activities, and a sense of nostalgia as students returned back to Nyack High School. Now over a month into the school year, we are still re-familiarizing ourselves with the day-to-day interactions. However, along with all the old memories comes something entirely new: Nyack RedHawks. This year has brought a time of rewriting our past. With a new name comes new football jerseys, signs, and something that we have never seen before: A new mascot.
We welcome our brand new mascot, Hook! Hook will show up for the school's football games, and we can’t wait to see what this year brings for the RedHawk family of Nyack. Now, let's get to know the people under the suits.
During our at-home football game on September 17th, Hook made its first ever appearance to the Red Hawk students. Even when it began to rain, Hook did not stop pumping up the crowd
and got everyone, even Pelham fans, on their feet. I got a chance to interview the mystery mascot of that night, Ms. Kleinman. “I got a text from Mr. Sigillo,'' Kleinman told me as we sat down for lunch. “All it said was, ‘I was wondering if you would do me a favor’, and, knowing him, I knew it wasn’t creepy or anything like that. I’m so glad that he reached out to me.”
When asked why she put the suit on, it was clear she wanted to “be the OG first mascot ever,” and that “it was an offer I just couldn't refuse.” It was actually Ms. Kleinman's idea to create rotations of the mascot. The moment someone puts on the mask, they are just known as Hook, but “once you take off that mask in front of everyone, the reveal feels so great.” Teacher or not, it is evident whoever does it will have so much fun.
With Ms. Kleinman’s genius idea to start rotations, we welcomed our second mascot-wearer, Madison Milla. “I first heard about potential mascot candidates when I saw Amber McDonald's social media post,” Milla explains. Being the second person to wear the mask, I wondered if she felt any nerves or pressure when stepping onto the field. As it turned out, “It was nothing like that. I thought it would be a really fun experience, and a great way to get involved. I also wanted to surprise my friends.”
She ended up surprising the whole school, receiving massive applause and support when she revealed herself. “People were guessing who I was, and addressing me by who they thought I was,” she commented, “The fact that no one knew who I was made me feel so confident and free to do whatever I wanted.” I asked her what advice she would give to the next mascot and she stated, “It was the best, it was just so much fun. If you are the type of person who has so much spirit and loves to give energy, it will be one of your best experiences.”
Fall is still in season, and that means more opportunities for Hook to come out and represent Nyack’s new name. The question we are all asking is: Who will it be next? With great stories and experiences shared so far, as well as the massive love for Hook, I doubt that this is the last we see of this Radiant Redhawk.