When people of Plain Local think of an eagle, they don’t think of the bald eagle, they think of Ernie.
Ernie the Gloden Eagle, GlenOak’s mascot since the 1976 merger of Oakwood and Glenwood, has been spreading school spirit at everything from football games to Boo at the School. However, beneath the oversized beak and below the layers of fur lies a GlenOak student who strives to spread school spirit and joy. For the past two years, that student has been GlenOak senior Isabelle Beadle.
Beadle has been Ernie since she tried out for the position the summer before her junior year. In order to try out, Beadle has to make a choreographed dance routine paired with a mixtape.
“Originally, I only tried out because I thought it would be a funny story and a good future icebreaker,” Beadle said. “For my tryout, I did Ice Ice Baby, Space Jam and a couple of other songs paired with a dance routine.”
Being Ernie has allowed Beadle to have a variety of enriching experiences in the school and community.
“I have got to pie Mr.Gagnon’s face, talk to everyone, high-five football players and do the alma mater,” Beadle said. “My favorite part by far is seeing kids’ faces light up with joy when they see me; they also sometimes cry but that’s a different story.”
As a school mascot, Beadle has had the opportunity to meet other local and professional mascots.
“I have done everything from trunk or treat in downtown Canton with seven other local mascots where I met the Cleveland Browns Mascot to a fireman competition against Hydro, the mascot of the fire department,” Beadle said.
However, being Ernie is not all fun and games. Besides the grueling nature of being a mascot, some fan bases can worsen the overall mascot experience.
“When we went to Green for football, fans would shine their flashlights and try to rip off my helmet,” Beadle said.
Acting as Ernie has been about more than being a mascot to Beadle; it has transformed her high school experience.
“The helmet has given me helmet confidence outside of being Ernie and has helped my self-esteem and social capabilities,” Beadle said.
The opportunity to be Ernie has instilled a sense of fun and joy in Beadle.
“Being Ernie has made me realize high school is not super serious,” Beadle said. “I can dress up as a bird and still be cool.”
For anyone interested in being Erine, tryouts will be Friday, April 18 at 5 p.m. at Glenwood Intermediate School on 44th Street. An interview will be conducted and students must prepare a 30-second dance/spirit routine to highlight what they could do as Ernie. Please bring your own music on Phone to plug in.
Interested students need to complete the following application https://forms.gle/sGVXnx18Vigz71pE6
However, they will have big shoes to fill as Beadle graduates.
“Advice for the next Ernie: keep up the spirit,” Beadle said.
