MORE THAN JUST A MASCOT

By NICOLETTE SMITH 

NICOLETTE SMITH FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

Throughout the small town of Washingtonville lies a community full of Wizards.  What does is it truly mean to be a Wizard? Some might think it is just a mascot for a school while others might consider it a symbol that has no relevance to students, but it is much more powerful than that. Wizards are full of pride, accepting, athletic, artistic, intelligent, willing to go the extra mile, and full of spirit and life.  Wizards are fearless, and up to any challenge that faces them. Washingtonville has allowed the people in it to stand united as one Wizard Nation. 

Being a Wizard is about having pride for the town and school. Washingtonville has shaped and developed everyone that lives in this humble town and will be their roots for the rest of their lives. When someone asks “Where are you from?” Wizards proudly and enthusiastically say that they had the pleasure of growing up in Washingtonville.  

Amy Kristiansen, a senior at WHS, exclaimed, “Being a Wizard means that we are one united school who all support one another. Being a Wizard means showing pride in your school and supporting all Wizards. I wouldn’t want to go to any other school because Washingtonville is amazing. Once a Wizard, always a Wizard.”

At Friday night football games, the feeling of pride, support, and enthusiasm takes over the stands. Every fan there yells, cheers, and dresses up for the team whether the players are close friends or total strangers. The student body does not just support the sports games, support is seen at every event held at the school and community; from the teachers battling it out in a lip sync routine, to the prom runway show, or the Masque & Mime plays. The students that go to the school may have their own cliques, like different activities, and have different goals, but at the end of the day, they are one nation.

Eventually, the Wizards have to say goodbye to their home, close friends they’ve made along the way, teachers that have impacted their lives, and the town that has shaped them. Miguel Dela Cruz , a senior at WHS, expressed, “Being a Wizard means waking up and going to the best school ever, and having the most pride at every event. As a Wizard, we all strive together and respect each other. Lastly, being a Wizard means that you live in the small town of Washingtonville but enjoy it because it is your forever home.”

 These students here at WHS will look back at their high school experience and think of only good memories that Washingtonville, and fellow Wizards, have help them make. After graduation, or even after college, past students will come back to this small town and still feel the sense of unity, pride, and acceptance because the Wizard inside never dies. Once a Wizard, always a Wizard.