Be a Sentinel Mascot

NFC mascots Camino and Trailblazer appear at campus and community events throughout the year to enhance school spirit, promote Sentinel pride, and generate excitement for all.

SENTINEL FEST by NFC

Do you have what it takes to be a Sentinel Mascot?

If you are a current, dual enrolled, soon-to-be enrolled student who loves NFC and wants to share that school spirit, then we want you! Student mascots are paid student employees and may receive a $500 scholarship per semester.
Apply to Be A Mascot

Classes and course completion are priority at NFC. However, students who commit to being Camino and Trailblazer will need to do their best to schedule classes around appearances.

i. Tryout Timeline

  1. Fall Semester:
    First Monday in July (or earlier if possible):
    - Complete the mascot application
    - If you are a First-Time in College or Transfer student, apply and be accepted to NFC.

Second Week in July:

- Attend interview
- Attend workshops to develop mascot skills

Third Week in July:

- Attend Tryouts
- New student mascots announced

First Week in August

- Attend meeting to review mascot expectations and rules, and semester schedule.

  1. Spring Semester:
    First Monday in October (or earlier if possible):

- Complete the mascot application
- If you are a First-Time in College or Transfer student, apply and be accepted to NFC.

Second Week in October:

- Attend interview
- Attend workshops to develop mascot skills

Third Week in October:

- Attend Tryouts
- New student mascots announced

First Week in November

- Attend meeting to review mascot expectations and rules, and semester schedule.

  1. Meetings/Practice: Begins one week prior to the start of classes at a time that works best by the selected students.
  2. Events:
    August: New Student Orientation (Evening Event), Employee Back-to-School Meeting, Pop-In for Pop-Tarts, Sentinel Social Hour (Wednesdays11am-1pm), Fall Dual Enrollment Summit, Other events as needed

    September: Sentinel Social Hour (Wednesdays 11am-12pm), Transfer Fair, Other events as needed

    October: Tutor Appreciation Event, Halloween Party, Sentinel Social Hour (Wednesdays 11am-1pm), Other events as needed

    November: Sentinel Fest (All Day), First to Stand: First Gen Celebration (Evening Event), Sentinel Social Hour (Wednesdays 11am-1pm), Other events as needed

    December: Final Exam Event, Sentinel Social Hour (Wednesdays 11am-1pm), Grad Fest (Evening Event), Holiday Employee Luncheon, Fall Commencement (Evening Event), Other events as needed
  1. Meetings/Practice: Begins one week prior to the end of classes at a time that works best by the selected students.
  2. Events:

January: Employee Back-to-School Meeting, Pop-In for Pop-Tarts, Sentinel Social Hour (Wednesdays11am-1pm), Other events as needed

February: Open House (Saturday Event), Sentinel Social Hour (Wednesdays 11am-12pm), Transfer Fair, Other events as needed

March: Sentinel Social Hour (Wednesdays 11am-1pm), Other events as needed

April: Sentinel Fest (All Day), First to Stand: First Gen Celebration (Evening Event), Sentinel Social Hour (Wednesdays 11am-1pm), Honors Convocation (Evening Event), Final Exam Event, Other events as needed

May: Sentinel Social Hour (Wednesdays 11am-1pm), Grad Fest (Evening Event), Lakeside Party - Employee Recognition Luncheon, Spring Commencement (Evening Event), Other events as needed

Special Events/Appearances:
  1. Camino and Trailblazer are required to attend Student Life events at the Madison Campus, Live Oak Location and/or Perry Location.
  2. Camino and Trailblazer are required to attend assigned Community events as needed.

    A. October: Pioneer Days (Lafayette County), and Forest Festival (Taylor County)

    B. December: Christmas on the Square (Suwannee County)

    C. April: Down Home Days (Madison County)

    D. July: Watermelon Festival (Jefferson County)

  3. Camino and Trailblazer are required to attend assigned Recruitment and Foundation events as needed in our six-county district.
  1. All travel, costumes and choreography expenses are provided by NFC.
  2. In the event you do not finish the semester or are dismissed from the mascot program, you will be required to reimburse NFC for payments made on your behalf.
  1. Scholarships may be available for the Fall and Spring semesters per student who represents Camino and Trailblazer.

 

FAQS

Students interested in applying to be the Camino and Trailblazer mascots should complete the following steps:

# 1: Complete the application here: https://forms.office.com/r/j3atK6yawH
# 2: Eligible applicants will attend an interview.
# 3: Eligible applicants will participate in a workshop to develop mascot skills.
# 4: Eligible applicants will attend the tryout.

Enrolled students with a 2.0 semester and overall GPA and good disciplinary standing are eligible to tryout. Incoming first-time in college and transfer students are also eligible.

Those who represent Trailblazer and Camino will need to be positive, physically fit, ability to think on their feet, creative, and able to follow directions. Mascot representatives are to be professionals in all situations as they will engage with students, alumni, faculty, staff, donors, and community members. The mascots work together, so being a committed team member is also a requirement.

Mascot Height Requirements are:

  1. Trailblazer - at least 5’9” and no taller than 5’11”
  2. Camino - at least 5’6” and no taller than 5’10”

Physical skills include being:

  1. Athletic
  2. Able to work in the suit comfortably

First-Time in College and Transfer students can participate in the mascot tryouts. Be sure that you have been accepted by NFC at least two weeks prior to the announced tryout date.

Information on the application process for the school can be here: https://www.nfc.edu/admissions/index.php

Camino and Trailblazer attends numerous events including:

A. Student Life Events
B. Alumni Events
C. Community Events
D. And more!

All those who apply to tryout will receive a response.

The in-person workshops gives you the opportunity to learn the characters of Camino and Trailblazer. You will also learn improvisation, prop usage, and non-verbal communication.

You will also need to learn how to work well in the suit, including walking, moving, picking up items, throwing, catching, and improv. These elements will ensure you can be active while upholding your safety within the suit.

All student mascots must be a full-time student with a have a 2.0 semester and overall GPA.

For First-Time in College or Transfer students, applicants will need to provide their current/high school GPA on the application. Proof of admission to NFC is required.

An interview is required as part of the tryout. This helps us learn more about you and gives you the chance to ask questions about the NFC mascot program.

First-Time in College and/or Transfer Students – If you do not get accepted to NFC.

If in the application process you misrepresent yourself: skills, character, or any other areas.

If any NFC student rules and regulations or mascot expectations are broken prior to, upon, or after acceptance of your role.

If you are not able to commit time to the role and be a productive member of the mascot program.

  1. Your identity as a Sentinel mascot must remain a secret until you graduate.
  2. Be a positive representative of school spirit.
  3. Never speak while in the costume.
  4. Follow mascot rules as stated by the program.
  5. Be available and flexible to make appearances.
  6. Travel (off campus appearances)
  7. Continued academic success.
  8. Upkeep and cleanliness of costume.
  9. Have fun!