All Hail

Kirsten Pankey shows a lot of enthusiasm for Nimitz Junior High athletics. She dances; she cheers; she gets the crowd pretty pumped.

The only thing is that no one can see her. That’s because 14-year-old Pankey is Nimitz’s new mascot. A Cap’n Crunch look-a-like dressed in a navy and gold uniform, the junior high’s school colors.

“I gotta make a good impression,” Pankey said twisting the snow-white gloves of her costume. “It’s a real big honor.”

“Everyone’s saying you’re going to be a legend ’cause you’re the first mascot ever at Nimitz,” she said.

The new mascot, aptly named Admiral Chester (for Adm. Chester W. Nimitz) is now in the family of cartoon crowd pleasers already cheering for the Bonham Owls, Bowie Horned Frogs, Crockett Colts, Ector Eagles and Hood Highlanders.

“He’s cool … I like him,” 12-year-old student Jordan Thompson said.

It took some time for everything to fall into place for Pankey. Before she could even put on the costume and start high-fiving fans, she had to learn all there is to know about being a mascot.

“I went to all the camps and got a lot of pointers,” Pankey said.

Next to training, Pankey is also learning to deal with another factor that accompanies being in a costume — the heat.

“It is extremely hot,” she said. “I usually end up sweating.”

When the time came for Admiral Chester to make his big appearance at the school pep rally, Pankey had some nervousness to tackle amid the excitement. Things like tripping or keeping the Admiral’s head on were weighing on her mind.

“I can’t really see where I’m going,” she noted.

With much anticipation, Admiral Chester appeared jumping out of a makeshift battleship. The crowd cheered, gasped and laughed as Pankey waved, shook hands and greeted the Nimitz crowd of students, staff and parents.

“It’s about time,” Nimitz teacher Stephanie Chastain said. “Since all the other schools have one, we should have one. He’s very intimidating.”