East Haven School Students Will Soon Have "Customized" Mascot

EAST HAVEN, CT - School officials think its wrong that the students don’t have a mascot to generate school support at sporting contests and other functions and at the most recent Board of Education meeting the board voted to spend up to $5,000 to create an East Haven “customized mascot costume.”

Thomas Hennessey was the one school board member who objected, and voted against, the expenditure. The rest of the board voted for it.

The funds will come from the rental account, which is used for costs associated with updates and upkeep as well as student activities. It is not a fund used for salary purposes.

Board of Education Chairwoman Michele DeLucia said it came to her attention that the district really does not have a mascot costume.

According to the minutes of the meeting, DeLucia looked into mascot costumes and researched costs. Her research found out, she said, that the cost for a customized costume would be about $5,000 - half of which would be for the mascot head.

In order to get price quotes she had to fill out detailed inquiries. She received 4-5 price quotes, the minutes state.

Reached about the mascot after the meeting, DeLucia elaborated:

“The new mascot will be an excellent addition to the Hive. The Hive is a student led fan group to foster school spirit. They run the pep rally organize and promote fan attendance.

“An especially positive note is that they have been instrumental in improving equity in fan participation at female sporting events. Which is long overdue, being that our girls sports teams have won state championships in softball, basketball, and volleyball,” DeLucia added.

“The kids in our district deserve this new mascot. We currently don’t have one due to the previous mascot costumes’ deterioration over the past decade rendering it unwearable and resulting in it being discarded,” the chairwoman said.

DeLucia went on: “For those who may believe that this was a purchase solely to benefit the Athletics division of the school district I’d like to remind them that school pride impacts student morale. In fact no matter what system or organization you look at, there is a direct relation between morale and productivity.

“I will also point out that this increase in morale is not merely isolated to athletic performance. Studies have shown that increases in self efficacy in one area may also positively impact your ability in others through a carryover affect, therefore having a positive impact on all student achievement as well,” DeLucia said.

School Superintendent Erica Forti commented, the minutes said, that the mascot would be a nice compliment to the hive and the cheering section of students. “It’s a pride thing,” Forti said.

Forti said she would work with the athletic director “to make sure the mascot is of high quality and presents what East Haven is all about.”