Julia Walkowicz
In his element at the Frontier football games, The Red Hawk mascot can be found in all of his glory. We sat down with this Deerfield icon to find out how he truly feels about his purpose at our school, football, and life.
In this turbulent and often conflicted modern age, real superheroes are hard to find. Americans of all ages search for someone to look up to, a shield from darkness, a voice of reason, and a spirit of hope. It seems only fitting then, that when we found ourselves low, here in our town of South Deerfield, a new superhero would appear in the noble and crimson form of: The Frontier Regional Redhawk.
The hawk has been a staple of our hallowed halls for many years. He can be found “cheering on” the volleyball teams in Goodnow Gym, practicing his dances on the sides of soccer games, and handing out candy at Friday night football games. Children, parents, and students of all ages are always glad to see our feathered friend. But does our mascot have the same sentiments toward us? “Are you happy to be here at Frontier?” asked our reporter. The hawk wasted no time. “Absolutely,” he exclaimed. “best school in the whole entire country.”
Frontier football’s 2-1 record has been a welcome sight to fans and parents alike. A well-received change from the program’s last season’s record of 3-7. The Redhawk is similarly elated with the performance of the team. When asked how he feels about the winning start of the football season, he puffed his red chest out as he replied: “The season is great! I love how we have built up some hype in the crowd. I can come out of my nest and be happy with Frontier’s school spirit.” The Redhawk’s bond with the people of Frontier Regional shone through clearly in his answers. He stated he has many non-feathered friends: “We have got all those cool football players. So good. They bring so much hype. I get so excited. We’ve got volleyball players, soccer players, boys and girls, they are amazing. They bring games. They bring excitement. And they make school fun.” Although, unlike his student-athlete companions, the Redhawk himself holds no longings for the classroom. When asked about his favorite teacher, the Hawk chuckled before replying, “I mean, I’m a bird. I don’t do a lot of learning. I just talk to all the good friends. The great community of Frontier.”
On a satirical note, we know that the Frontier Redhawk loves our school and our excellent sports, but what about his other thoughts and feelings. We found out our beloved Redhawk is a bit clumsy. With great wings, it seems, comes a great lack of spatial awareness. He described his greatest pet peeve, saying, “When the little kids follow me around and I can’t see them, I accidentally fly into them.” Thus we now know, the Frontier Redhawk, like many other birds, should be observed from the front and not the sides. “What is your biggest fear?” The hawk shifted in his seat, looking afraid, his feathers partially ruffled. He took a deep breath before whispering, “Those little kids. On that golf cart. Attacking me with sticks. “ No follow-up questions were asked, in fear of a fight or flight situation. When asked about how he spends his free time, the hawk seemed to perk up, saying he loves to, “Chill in the nest. Search for a Ladyhawk to have a family of hawklings with.” This reporter wishes the hawk well in his romantic pursuits, but stopped him from listing his, “football-related pickup lines.”
The Frontier Redhawk is a hero and heroes accumulate countless tidbits of wisdom along their journeys. When it comes to the football game of life, we sought a birds-eye view from the hawk. “Where do you think we go after we die?” The hawk looked down thoughtfully, his beak twitched as he slowly glanced up skyward. “Birdy-heaven,” he said with finality. “There’s a big old football game, an old F on the field, and lots and lots of people.” We found sanctity in this sentiment from our one and only hero.
Before dusting himself off and flying away, the Frontier Regional Redhawk left us with this concluding bit of wisdom.
“ School spirit is dependent on you guys. Show up to the games and be happy. “