Greyson Higginbotham: Making Highlander mascot history

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - Being The Woodlands High School Highlander is much more than meets the eye. He must always hold TWHS in high honor and uphold the responsibilities and expectations as a role model and icon in the community.

“The title is a huge commitment, you can’t just throw the kilt on for an hour, wave your sword and call it a day,” said Higginbotham. “It really takes 110% effort 24/7, no matter what the world is throwing at you. The mascot must be ready for anything, whether it is activities, participation, photos, community service; the mascot is always on duty. If it were really that easy, what would the point be?”

Higginbotham knew as early as his sophomore year that he would certainly be applying for mascot his senior year but until then, patience was his virtue. Higginbotham was eager and ready to be involved once his moment of truth arrived. His opponents were well known within the senior class for their confidence, congeniality and popularity. Competing against the two other worthy students, he presented his best etiquette and well-prepared material bringing him closer as a finalist. Higginbotham caught the judge’s attention with his strength and capabilities for tumbling and gymnastics, traits neither of the other contestants possessed. Apart from demonstrating his unique talent, he advanced through to a series of questions regarding how he would handle and take the responsibilities of becoming, The Highlander.

Discovering he made the cut, Higginbotham was thrilled and excited for the upcoming year as mascot. Honored to have been selected from a pool of applicable seniors, he would pour in the necessary energy and effort to prove himself deserving of the title. Students initially took the decision indifferently, as many did not picture him as the social and sporty iconic mascot, but quickly warmed up as they witnessed a dramatic and instant upward change in school spirit. He may not have been the most popular or well-known student for the position, but his relatable personality and friendliness resonated with his classmates. The Highlander became a warm, familiar face in the halls, not just a celebrity student who danced in a kilt.

The summer following his induction as mascot, Higginbotham attended the Universal Cheerleaders Association Cheer Camp with his fellow TWHS varsity cheerleaders.

“Being so new to this, I was thankful to have made amazing friends with the cheerleaders whom were also new, accepting and equally excited,” said Higginbotham.

UCA united school teams for a week of intense practice and education for the year to come. Not required to attend, he used this experience to better hone his skills, learn and interact with other teams. Here he heavily exercised interaction without verbal communication, a necessary need for a successful mascot during sporting events and pre-game pep rallies. Higginbotham won the Mascot Leadership Award amongst the school mascots and received all superior rankings for his enthusiasm and participation throughout the experience. He also received the Pin It Forward award, passed down from alumni who choose hardworking and valiant cheerleaders, but received it for possessing outstanding qualities as a mascot.

Having been trained and experienced in stage performance, Higginbotham found it easier to break into character in front of large audiences.

“I’d say I’m naturally outgoing, but having done theater, choir and musical events, I was better prepared to face the 4,000+ high school students who I’d be constantly performing for,” said Higginbotham.

The new mascot delivered all year round. Having the capabilities to jump, turn, twist and flip, he was also incorporated into the cheer routines. Not only could The Highlander do summersaults, he could do them in a kilt. During games and pep rallies, he reached out to his fellow classmates stimulating greater hype, resulting in one of the best-spirited student sections in TWHS history. Higginbotham practiced with the varsity cheerleaders twice a week afterschool, as well as took the cheer class mainly to learn stunting and work on moves, a class which was also not required.

“Whatever it takes to make the crowd go crazy and keep the energy at its highest,” said Higginbotham. “It was time the kilt had an upgrade.”

Upon receiving the original mascot uniform, Higginbotham knew what changes had to be made. Not only was the costume outdated, he couldn’t perform and do the stunts he wanted wearing a 10 pound kilt. On that next day, he returned the uniform and began the hunt for The Highlanders traditional, yet modern costume. He purchased a new black leather vest and leather bracers to enhance the toughness as well as black tumbling boots, a fancy belt and a shiny new sword. Being said, he very well reinvented the mascot. When he returned to show his final look, the school approved immediately and decided to implement his choices as the new standard uniform.

Pep rallies always included a theme or occasion for which students and faculty could participate in by dressing up and encouraging spirit. It was not a surprise for students, that with Higginbotham as The Highlander, he would go all out to embody whatever theme was presented by face painting, dressing up in fun costumes and organizing coordinating activities. He enjoyed becoming different characters and surprising the students for what he had prepared each pep rally. Students best remembered him for his Jungle Theme tribute, by dressing up as a jungle chicken, better known as the Red Junglefoul.

“It’s real, Google it!” said Higginbotham.

Recalling his favorite costumes, Austin Powers, Sumo Wrestler, Chicken Suit, Uncle Si from Duck Dyanasty and Napoleon Dynamite all stood equally high on the list. His face paints also included school colors, a ninja mask, a Pink Breast Cancer Ribbon and American Horror Story characters.

The Highlander was involved both at the school campus and in the community more than he had ever been before. Using his influence and role as mascot, Higginbotham supported local charities and organizations, living true to the embodiment of a Woodlands Highlander. He participated in videos for clubs on campus, hosted events for the theater and created campaigns with organizations to bring awareness to TWHS. To show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Higginbotham even purchased a pink kilt, which he wore to all events throughout October.

“Having a few survivors in my family, I knew there would be families out at games going through many more difficulties breast cancer related, or any cancer related. A pair of pink socks and a pink kilt couldn’t hurt to support the cause.”

Higginbotham will be attending University of Louisiana at Lafayette this fall with a concentration in nursing. As far as his cheering plans go, he is taking a break his Freshman year, but will be involved with the student body and hopefully work as an orientation leader over the summer.

This upcoming 2015-2016 school year, The Woodlands High School will yet again be kicking it up a notch by recruiting two mascots, something that has never been done at TWHS. Higginbotham is confident that the future mascots will continue to raise the bar and uphold the duty of being The Highlander.

“My advice to the new mascots is to keep it new! Find ways to entertain your fellow peers with things they have never seen before,” said Higginbotham.

He also hopes the student body will continue to grow in spirit and open-mindedness to different activities and participation.

“Senior year would have been completely uneventful and lacking purpose if it wasn’t for this amazing opportunity. Trying out for mascot was one of the best decisions I made in high school.”

Higginbotham was able to end his high school career on a good note with experience in something unique, exciting and most importantly, meaningful. Without breaking from tradition, Higginbotham left a mark on TWHS by revamping and improving the 21st century Highlander that students, faculty and The Woodlands community are sure to love.