This article is a slice of life about West Chicago Community High School’s long-time mascot, Will E. Wildcat, and his mysterious origins, as well as his recent makeover. Special thanks to Gabriella Castro and Miley Pegg for their assistance with this article.

Though he is only a few months old, one “cool cat” is already catching people’s eyes at West Chicago Community High School.

Will. E Wildcat made his most recent appearance at the home football game on Sept. 27, and students were abuzz about the new guy in town. 

“The new wildcat is very creepy looking, and doesn’t even look like a wildcat,” senior Caitlin Gilmore said.

Some students took time to really scrutinize the wildcat’s new appearance.

“The weird one – the new one – just kind of looks like a chicken nugget – I’m not gonna lie – with some features on it. While the old one actually portrays a wildcat, and just looks better and cleaner,” junior Trisha Marszalek said.

Others, however, saw Will E.’s revamped fur as an improvement, though some physical features remained a point of contention.

“By the fur, yeah, it’s better. But the face, it looks a little awkward. It looks really lumpy, and it’s something about the eyes and the jaw. The jaw is a little too big, I would say, like something a little more cartoony would look better,” junior Brissia Bucio said.

While students had plenty to say about the wildcat’s appearance, many were caught off guard by another detail—his name. When surveying students around school, most were surprised to learn that the mascot actually had one.

“He could be named after Dr. [Will] Dwyer. Oh, I could picture that. I could picture that,” senior Angelo Jimenez said. 

“I think Will E. is an interesting name,” senior Maha Aung said.

Activity Director Marc Wolfe had no idea about the origins of the name Will E. Wildcat. 

“That I don’t know either. I wish we had somebody that has been around longer than me, and maybe they’d know,” Wolfe said. 

While the origins of Will E. Wildcat’s name are unclear, so is the wildcat mascot itself, since West Chicago is not an area known for wildcat sightings. Activity Director Marc Wolfe indicated that he “honestly [didn’t] know” why the mascot was a wildcat. 

“[Let me] look it up here, see if I can find an answer for you,” Wolfe said while searching the internet on his computer. “That is the most common mascot in the country – a wildcat. So that might be why. I was looking it up to see if I could find any info, like on the schools…[it’s] probably [popular] just because it’s a common name. I don’t believe that this was an area where wildcats [lived.]”

Regardless of where he came from, last year, Will E. got a makeover: Wolfe sought the Board’s approval to change up the mascot’s appearance after many years of wear. The school spent over $11K last year purchasing two costumes with a slightly different design, and Wolfe said the new costumes are more comfortable and breathable to wear.

“The previous suit that we had was over 20 years old, and was kind of worn down, and not necessarily sanitary anymore. It was kinda ripping and stuff like that,” Wolfe said.

Those who embrace the wildcat’s new style can become the mascot, according to Wolfe. At the beginning of every school year, there are students who walk up to Wolfe, asking him about if they can fill the role. 

When there are multiple students wanting to be the mascot, Wolfe allows them to advocate for the dates and times they are available.

“I just kind of make up a calendar of events, and they sign up when they’re available to be at sporting events, or Homecoming events, or community events,” Wolfe said.