Kiska VI, Dieruff High School’s live canine mascot, is recovering after an unexpected surgery over the weekend.
The 4-year-old husky, which has been the school’s mascot for four years, got a bone stuck in her stomach, and she needed surgery to remove it, according to owner Curt Swoyer, a 1972 graduate who now lives in Topton. The medical bill reached into the thousands of dollars, and he launched a GoFundMe seeking about $6,000 to offset the costs, which include the surgery, recovery and medication.
As of Wednesday, about half of that amount has been raised. The community support, Swoyer said, was not a surprise given the following Kiska has.
“Everybody loves her, and she loves everybody,” he said.
Kiska is the sixth dog to be Dieruff’s mascot since the tradition started in the 1960s. The last one died in February 2022, and Kiska VI replaced it, appearing at a number of school events, including football and basketball games, for four years now.
Dieruff mascot Kiska VI poses for a picture with her owner Curt Swoyer, a member of Dieruff’s Class of 1966, at an East Side Youth Center Little Huskies youth football game in 2023. (Keith Groller/The Morning Call)
The students love Kiska, and even the rival teams’ supporters at football games like the Husky, Swoyer said. Cheerleaders from opposing schools will often take pictures with Kiska, who has a Facebook page with about 500 followers, he added.
On Wednesday, Swoyer said Kiska is still on the mend, but her personality and energy are back to where they were before. She’s expected to be at the high school graduation June 12.
“Kiska has many more years ahead as our mascot, and keeping her healthy is so important to all of us,” Swoyer wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Any help you can give means the world to me and to everyone who loves Kiska.”
Those who wish to donate may do so at gofund.me/cf3f737ed.