The hot and heavy costume, the crowd cheering behind me, the football team making yet another touchdown: this is my life.

Being SuperFan Stan has been a memorable experience because no one knows it’s me; I’m one person covered by a mask. There are only a couple of people who know that I am Stan, which are some of my teachers and my parents. None of my friends even know yet.   

Football games are exciting, but extremely hot being stuck in a heavy costume all night. However, the heat does not take away from the amazing feeling you get when you do something as little as lift your arms up and the whole fan section goes wild. It is unexplainable and thrilling, almost like I have control over the fan section. It gives me chills. It is one of the best feelings in the world, getting the whole entire school screaming, shouting and showing their school spirit. It’s fun being on the sidelines, so close to the football field and no one knowing who it is under the mask. As the mascot, you get noticed more while on the sidelines and it’s a fun experience.

Whenever the Lakes Eagle and I are at a game or an event together, it is funny to have the “fake fights” as long as they don’t get taken too far. I enjoy the fights because they can be entertaining and everyone enjoys them; it’s exciting getting people loud and competing with our sister school. At the leadership conference that some people had to go to the first day of school this year, it was fun being with all of the other “Stan’s” from the different schools because we all got to talk about what being the mascot is like and enjoy time together.

The best experience I have had being SuperFan Stan is when Mr. Hamilton’s daughters tried to teach me how to twirl a flag. I’m sure it was entertaining to watch. But, being Stan is not always great. A frustrating part about being Stan is when people try taking the costume’s head off, or the other “gear” that comes with it.

When being SuperFan Stan it is hard not to talk. The only time that I have ever talked while in costume was when I told a kid to stop when he was trying to take the head off the costume. Other than that, I haven’t talked at all. I haven’t laughed yet while being Stan, but that’s because I know I can’t since it is a part of the job.

Sometimes, going to the basketball games is not enjoyable. It is harder to get a break while in costume during the game because there really isn’t a good place to “hide.” It’s also sometimes hotter than football games because the gym can get humid, so being in the costume is difficult. I don’t go to many basketball games but the ones I do go to, I have a difficult time taking breaks while the game is going on.

There have been times when I have almost slipped up and told someone that I am Stan and that I’m the one in the costume they see on Friday’s. If I hear people saying “I know who Stan is,” when they really don’t, I just want to scream “it’s me.” My friends don’t suspect that I am SuperFan Stan because if I’m not at a game, I just say I couldn’t make it and they don’t think twice about it.

Being SuperFan Stan comes with some pretty odd experiences. I once made Mr. Bailey’s daughter cry because I just looked over at her. Some kids are afraid of the costume and everything but I understand why they are, it can be scary.

Football games can be hard. If I want to be with my friends, I can’t because I have to be Stan. I would say that’s something I don’t like about being Stan. However, this year I haven’t gone to many of the games as Stan because of how hot it has been.

My experience as SuperFan Stan so far has been a memorable time in my life. While it can be difficult sometimes, the best feeling is getting the crowd excited by raising my arms. I love interacting with people and them not knowing that it’s me. I am glad that someone was busy once and they asked me to be Stan for a football game because I’ve been having fun ever since. I was nervous at first but now I am used to it. It’s a unique and unforgettable experience.