By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The mascot is trying to make a comeback at the high school level. When USD 112 Central Plains was created more than a decade ago, officials were looking for a unique mascot fitting for the area. As the Oilers, the CPHS logo has featured an oil derrick from day one. In August, CPHS introduced Derrick the mascot. Parent Teacher Organization Vice President Karla Hurley said he's a great representation of the oilfield workers in the area.
"A couple of years ago, some of the parents with the PTO group were talking about that we just don't see any mascots around anymore at the high school games," she said. "Since we had combined several years ago, we had never gotten one for Central Plains."
The PTO reached out to a half-dozen companies that made mascots. They were able to choose from a variety of faces, hairstyles, clothing, and colors.
"We didn't want him to look scary to the younger kids so we had them put the smile on," Hurley said. "We requested to see what it would like with the facial hair or without the hair. We also requested him to have a hard hat, and to make the overalls he was wearing a little messy so it looked like he'd been out there working."
Bids started at approximately $5,000. The PTO originally paid for the mascot and donated it to the district. Since then, the group has reached out to various local businesses for sponsorships, and those banners will soon adorn the CPHS gymnasium and football field.
Derrick, complete with a nametag attached to his overalls, arrived in Claflin just before the start of the 2023-24 school year and has been a big hit with students in the district and beyond.
"It's been great," said Hurley. "He's brought out the other mascots from other schools. He even has his own Instagram page. He has pictures with the other mascots that have come out of the closet because you just never see them anymore."
On short notice, CPHS's cheer coach found a student to go inside the costume. In the future, if more interest arises, time at events could be split amongst several students at the discretion of the cheer coach. Follow Derrick on Instagram at @derricktheoilerman.
