In the 2016-2017 school year, PAHS will be adding a new member to its sports teams, and his name is Rip Tide. Thought up by junior Dylan Stillwagner and brought to life by BAM Mascots, Rip Tide will be used at most sporting events coming up next year, including football, basketball and baseball.

“The whole point of Rip Tide is to increase the level of spirit at sporting events for the school,” Stillwagner said. “The whole athletic board is being 100 percent supportive and none of this would be possible without them; they made the process very simple to do and complete. Rip Tide will become part of the Crimson Tide family, and he will get crowds more involved wherever he will be.”

Through the efforts of Stillwagner’s fundraising and advertising campaigns, PAHS is capable of having a mascot by next school year. Costing around $5050, the mascot costume will be worn by students who will audition to play the part. There will be several people acting as Rip Tide, as conflicting schedules make it difficult for one student to attend every single sports event.

“I would be excited to try out for Rip Tide,” junior Parker Rose said. “What I am excited about the most is pepping up the crowd. I think a mascot will improve our school spirit.”

It’s no secret that in recent years, school spirit has been generally decreasing at games and pep rallies. By adding a new school mascot, the school hopes to get people excited for sports again and boost school spirit. Along with the PAHS cheerleading squad, Rip Tide will bring a sense of cheer to the crowds at various sporting events.

“I think that the mascot can bring a lot of good to sporting events, and the school itself,” sophomore Austin Blackman said. “At first, it will definitely draw people to come and see it, along with the game. Hopefully it will lead to a more energetic student section.”