Our EXCLUSIVE TOUR with MHS’ new mascot!

Look out, Methuen – there’s a new Ranger in town!

Methuen High School’s first-ever mascot made his public debut at last month’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. And while he is yet to be named, he’s sure to be a big presence on campus.

Supervising Principal Anthony Curet credits a team of people, including Grade-11 Associate Principal Matt Curran, for coming up with the concept of a mascot, explaining, “When I started last year as principal, it was a priority of mine to find a way to continuously bring the school together, promote Ranger pride and make that culture the way we wanted it to be,” adding, “and one of the many things we thought of was a mascot.”

Decked out and dapper in Ranger blue and white, complete with a coon-skin cap, Ranger mascot’s big smiling face will be hard to miss!
While there are endless opportunities for fun ideas in the future for the Ranger mascot, there is actually an etiquette that goes along with the concept of a mascot.

Curet explains, “Mascots are not supposed to talk, so it’s about hand gestures, and mascots should never take their helmets off (unless it’s an emergency!).”

One idea the team is toying with is selecting a student to wear the costume to various sporting and school events throughout the year and then afterward revealing who was wearing the suit, sort of like the TV show “The Masked Singer.”

The Ranger suit was custom ordered through Canadian costume company Loonie Times.

To launch the Ranger mascot this year, wearing the costume for its debut will be MHS Class of 2025 alum Elijah Lilja.

“This year will be sort of a soft roll-out of the Ranger, with Elijah in the costume at selected events,” said Curet.

Elijah, now a special education program assistant for preschoolers and an assistant in MHS’ Athletics Department, was the team’s obvious choice, as Curet tells it.

“Elijah is the man who does a little bit of everything around here. As a student, he was what I would call Mr. Ranger; he’s always been helpful and a part of our school community in such a positive way. He’s the first person I thought of for this.”

“It means a lot that Principal Curet thought of me for the role, and I’m glad to have the chance to contribute in a way that helps bring spirit to the team and the fans,” Lilja said. “It’s a different kind of role compared to being on the sidelines in other ways, but it’s still a big part of the game-day experience and I’m excited to be involved.

“I’m known as Mr. Methuen and just being the face of every school event,” Lilja continued. “Helping out in the community, working in athletics since my freshman year under Matt Curran and now current Athletic Director Tom Ryan … and I’ve always had this sense of being there for people and bringing joy and excitement.”

He’s looking forward to “coming up with fun interactions, and just helping make the games more entertaining for everyone.”

In regard to choosing the mascot’s name, Methuen High holds what they call Connections Lessons, which are social-emotional lessons held when there is information that needs to go out to the entire student body. It is during this kind of presentation that students will be presented with a handful of names and will ultimately choose the mascot’s name.

With plans to be present at parades, sporting events and seasonal celebrations, you can be sure you’ll run into Methuen High’s first official mascot!

“Being in the suit is definitely a unique experience. It can get pretty warm and it takes a little time to adjust to the limited visibility and movement, but once you’re out there it’s honestly a lot of fun,” Lilja told MethuenLife. “The best part is going to be interacting with the crowd and seeing how people react. Kids especially get really excited, and it’s cool to be able to help create that kind of energy and atmosphere at the games.”