A Q&A with students who’ve been the Bruin

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While Baldwin High School football players work hard to represent their school and community well on the field, so too do dozens of other students who are there in support. Yes, band members and cheerleaders get the crowd energized during the game, but only one student does the same while wearing a large bear suit.

The Baldwin Bruin is front and center at home games, tasked with entertaining and pumping up the people in attendance. Senior Valerie Conforti, 17, has donned the Bruin suit at two home games this year and also plays trumpet in the school’s pep band. Her brother Michael, a 15-year-old sophomore who is also the quarterback of the junior varsity football team, played the role of mascot for the first time last week at the high school’s pep rally and high-fived athletes along with BHS graduate and UFC champion Chris Weidman.

The Herald talked to the brother-sister duo last week to find out what it’s like to be a high school mascot.

Herald: How did you first become mascot?

Valerie: I had always wanted to do it. I saw [Athletic Director] Mr. [Ed] Ramirez and asked him how one would get the job. He said ‘we’ve been looking for someone’ and asked ‘when can you start?’
Michael: I was in football practice and Mr. Ramirez called me over and said ‘you’re going to be our mascot tomorrow.’ I was definitely OK with it.

Herald: Were you nervous the first time as mascot?
Valerie: I was definitely nervous. It was a struggle to get it on the first time and it was weird sometimes going up to the crowd, they weren’t as responsive, but once the band started playing and the cheerleaders started cheering and I danced with them, it was fun.
Michael: I was nervous. I was asking some people what to do. I didn’t know where to stand so that I wasn’t blocking anyone’s view.

Herald: What’s going through your mind as you’re trying to pump up the crowd?
Valerie: To watch the game and make sure I know what’s going on. When something bad is going on I [mimic crying] and when something’s great I cheer and tell everyone to get loud.
Michael: I just didn’t want people to be quiet. I wanted everyone to focus on the pep rally.

Herald: Is it hot in there? It looks hot in there.
Valerie: Even in the coldest games of the season it’s still a pretty big blanket.
Michael (after just finishing the one-hour pep rally in the BHS gymnasium): Yes, I had to step outside for a little bit.

Herald: Is it tough to see out of?
Michael: Yes, there’s a very limited view. I use a football helmet and I can see fine, but out of the front of the mouth of a bear, it’s tough.
Valerie: You have to position it on your head so that you can see out of it very well and breathe nicely.

Herald: Any memorable experiences from your time as mascot?
Valerie: Definitely when the little kids came up to me saying, ’Oh my God, you’re the Bruin. Can I take a picture with you?’ It made me feel really cool.
Michael: Talking to Chris Weidman was great.

Herald: What made you want to get involved and be the mascot?
Valerie: I guess I wanted to try new things in high school and this was one of them, definitely. It’s a way to express yourself without being you. It’s like being an actor.
Michael: You’re putting on an outfit. It’s a new you.