As a mascot representing school spirit and unity, the person inside the Eagle suit chose to remain anonymous to focus on the Eagle’s symbolism. The Eagle will be referred to as Eddie.

It’s a crisp October evening. The sun sets over the football field as the bleachers fill up for a home game. The rhythm of the band mixes with the chants of the crowd — a sea of students dressed in royal blue. The energy is palpable.

Moments like this are what Eddie the Eagle, Los Altos High School’s mascot, lives for. But as easy as Eddie makes it look, being the Eagle is hard work. 

“It gets hot in the suit,” Eddie said. “During the back-to-school rally, I was dripping in sweat. There’s a fan in there, but the battery’s been dead for a year. It’s also pretty heavy. I can’t jump so high while I’m inside.”

Eddie also can’t see straight. The costume’s eyes are on the side of the mask, so he has to turn to the side to see what’s right in front of him.

Being the school mascot has its perks, though.

“I feel like I’m a different person in the costume,” Eddie said. “Any issues that I have go away. I’m on a clean slate. I’m somebody new. I’m somebody else. I go out there and play the part of being Eddie. It gives me so much freedom to communicate with the rest of the school. I love it.” 

When Eddie takes off the costume, nobody stares or gives him high fives, and he’s confined to hanging out with his friends and conforming to the social norms of high school. But in the suit?

“I can do things that I wouldn’t do without the costume,” Eddie said. “I can go in the middle of the quad during lunch and start doing pushups and breakdancing, and it’s funny. It’s not cringey or weird. I love the freedom to do that without feeling awkward.”

Recalling the process of becoming the Eagle, Eddie explained that he was chosen by the Athletic Director Michelle Noeth. Noeth noticed him at a football game cheering passionately and involving fellow fans — his ability to get people to interact with the game made him a perfect candidate.

“They called me one day when I was going out to lunch,” Eddie said. “I thought I was in trouble but it turned out I was just getting chosen to be the next Eagle.”

When asked about the Eagle, Noeth thought back to a fond memory of Eddie at the annual Color Run fundraiser.

“It was really cool to see the little kids interact with him,” Noeth said. “Some of them were super excited about the Eagle, and some of them were terrified and ran away. It was a neat moment.”

Noeth also appreciates Eddie’s constant engagement.

“At football games, the Eagle has done an amazing job,” Noeth said. “He knelt down to hug little kids, and he was super engaged with the fans. It’s nice to have somebody who is naturally outgoing to make it a fun experience for everyone. Even a couple of my coaches have taken a picture with the Eagle.”

But it’s not just coaches who want a picture with Eddie. At off-campus events, Eddie has integrated himself into the community, interacting with the city’s residents and even taking a moment to pose with the police.

For Eddie, that sense of community is the best part of the job.

“When I’m the Eagle, I can talk to whoever I want, whenever I want,” Eddie said. “I can talk to the kids standing in the corner and ask them to join the big group. The best part is making everyone at school feel welcome.”