Jim Fair
The Greer Yellow Jackets mascot will be attending school functions and athletic events for the first time in about 15 years.
Greer High School’s Yellow Jackets mascot is back with the blessing of second year Principal Justin Ludley.
The mascot made its first public appearance at last year’s homecoming parade in downtown Greer. “The Yellow Jacket had a good rapport with the students last year,” Amy Holcombe, Head Cheerleading Coach, said.
Holcombe brought the mascot to the Adult Baseball League’s opening ceremonies on Friday night. “So many kids came up to hug the bee,” Holcombe said. “We took a break and the kids were asking ‘where’s the bee?”
That’s been the question most of the students have been asking staff and teachers for about 15 years.
The Yellow Jackets costume has been tucked away in the school’s storage.
According to Greer staff through the years, the last person to wear the Yellow Jacket costume, at a basketball game, got into a melee that earned the student a suspension. Principal Marion Waters, who retired two years ago, also sentenced the bee to mascot lockup for the rest of his tenure.
During photo day for the football team and cheerleaders Saturday morning, Holcombe wore the Yellow Jacket costume for brief spells. “I can’t stay in this long because it’s so hot in there and I can’t see too much,” Holcombe said.
When school begins, Holcombe said students will be recruited who have the discipline, values and respect the administration promotes of all its students.