When a mascot costume didn’t fit, one mom stepped in — and helped send Buzzette all the way to the Citrus Bowl.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Two South Texas high school mascots are stepping onto a national stage this week after a community-wide effort helped pave their way to the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
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Alice High School’s CJ Coyote and Flour Bluff High School’s Buzzette will make their halftime debut in Orlando, representing their schools — and the Coastal Bend — before a nationwide audience.
School officials say booster clubs, cheer teams and community donors played a key role in raising funds and providing logistical support to make the trip possible. But for Buzzette, the biggest boost came from a mother determined to make sure her daughter could perform safely and comfortably.
When Isabel Williams, who performs as Buzzette, received her original costume, it was too large and too heavy to wear in South Texas heat. Rather than let the issue sideline her, her mother, Anna Williams, stepped in.
She said she spent hours sewing a new costume so her daughter could perform.
“I just want it to be so epic and fun for her, and for Buzzy, and for the students and for the cheerleaders,” Williams said.
School leaders say that kind of dedication reflects the spirit behind the entire trip — a community rallying to give students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The Cheez-It Citrus Bowl kicks off Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. and will air locally on KIII.
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