In sports, everyone knows the star players and coaches; you recognize the cheerleaders and the fans you always seem to sit near at the games. But, do you know the most popular, yet anonymous being in the entire gym? Nobody is beloved at a game more so than the mascot, but few actually know who is behind the mask. 

At WACO High School, there has been one person that has been the symbol of Warrior Nation for the last four years and her name is Katherine Hallett. The senior has suited up as the Warrior mascot since her freshman year and supports the Columbia blue and white costume for every home football and basketball game. She wears shoulder pads and a huge Warrior helmet with a Mohawk sticking out the top. Hallett tells KCII Sports the best thing about being the mascot is interacting with fans, “My favorite thing about being the mascot is how many people talk to me and always give me high-fives. I like cheering people up and performing in front of crowds.” That performing ability goes well beyond the gym, as she is also involved in school plays and community theatre in Washington. In fact, she hopes to make a career of it, “After high school I want to be in performing arts to go into acting or singing. I also would really like to go to a studio school in Los Angeles to learn more about acting.”

Hallett can be seen in the Warrior costume for the final time this winter with basketball, where she doubles as a player as well.