Welcome, Benny!
Birches Elementary Introduces New Mascot “Benny the Bengal”
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP – The students at Birches Elementary School knew they were going to be visited by a special guest on Friday, October 12th. It didn’t take long for them to be in on the surprise. As the fifth-grade safety patrols took their spots and the first buses began approaching the school, a bright, orange figure stepped out of the school foyer.
Welcome, Benny the Bengal! Birches’ brand-new mascot, complete with a full, furry suit, was introduced, calling on the students to “roar” into the school year.
“It started at the beginning of the year when I used a clipart Bengal, that I named Benny, into some of our anti-bullying materials,” Birches Principal Jessica Rose said. “It seemed to have a good response, so we really wanted to bring Benny to life.”
Birches teacher Nichole Cuorato became the first person to don the costume on Friday, exchanging high-fives and hugs with the students as they entered the building. Benny didn’t shy away from hijinks, either, using safety patrol member Sophia Aguilar as a leaning post, as well as admonishing another student for having untied shoes.
Benny will appear at several events during the school year, as Birches celebrates its 50th anniversary.
-WTPS -