Wildcat has been at the school since its opening in 2005-2006. A suit with the appearance of a wildcat, parading around a football field, posing to take photos with whoever wanted them. As social media has become increasingly prominent, schools have been progressing to keep up with the shifting tides. With schools making various Instagram and TikTok accounts, it was time for him to debut his own. 

After leadership’s trip to the California Association of Student Leaders conference last spring, students gained  inspiration to improve the promotion of the Wildcat. Activities Director Mr. Jesse Armas, witnessed how these other schools used their mascot, especially in social media. 

“Our student leaders on campus set out a goal to improve [the visibility of Wildcat and student engagement], rebranding the mascot, so to speak,” Armas said. “So [other schools and their leadership classes] at that conference shared that they have their own social media for the mascot … We kind of took it up upon ourselves to do that.” 

The leadership class, especially the creator of the page, Natalia Takeuchi, has been working to combine the spirit of a traditional mascot and apply it to trending platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Takeuchi utilizes her understanding of social media to appeal to students and market school events. 

The @whitney.wildcat Instagram account is written from Wildcat’s perspective and showcases different events Wildcat attends, creating relatable connections with students. Wildcat has also been used to support underrepresented programs on campus.

“I’m having Wildcat go to all of these events like tennis and flag football and some of the sports that don’t get as much recognition as football,” Takeuchi said. “It’s just to know that they’re still out there supporting them and making them feel as special as we do the football team.” 

Wildcat’s identity is kept secret to keep students engaged and keep up with tradition. This decision was made between Armas, Takeuchi and various other leadership students, such as X-Factor Commissioner Jacquelyn Cavarra. 

“It’s just kind of for that suspense,” Cavarra said. “We thought it would be like a fun—almost kind of Gossip Girl-ish vibe—but we just thought it might be fun and build some suspense and get some hype on Wildcat.”

With the follower count at 460 as of Oct. 22,  the Instagram account has been steadily growing since its creation at the beginning of the school year.

“So many people are on social media. And we also want to get Wildcat out to the games. It’ll just get the name out more and just spread the mascot more,” Cavarra said. 

Wildcat will be making more appearances throughout the year, so students can keep an eye out for many more posts and photo opportunities. 

“[Wildcat] makes it more involved with the school just because I go out and I film him and we make TikToks promoting him, just to remind people that we are all wildcats and we are a school,” Takeuchi said.

by OLIVIA BOYD AND MAIRYN OSECHECK