Squirrel trail art project expands to Matador Stadium
(Seguin) — There’s something new and “Mighty” at Seguin High School.
The first regular season football game hasn’t even been played yet and already, there’s a big win over at Matador Stadium.
With the help of the Matador Band and high school cheerleaders, crowds gathered and cheered Monday afternoon as “Mighty” the Squirrel was unveiled just outside the stadium gates at Seguin High School.
Mighty” marks the 14th three-foot-tall concrete statue to be unveiled as part of the City of Seguin’s Squirrel Trail Program.
Unveiling the new signature art project outside the stadium were donors Donny and Cathy Beicker.
The Beicker’s who unofficially might just be the biggest supporters of anything Matador say they didn’t hesitate in participating in the program. In fact, Beicker says she had already been leaning toward something like this even before learning about the city-wide art project in Seguin.
“My daughter-in-law in Fredericksburg had put Mockingbirds all around Fredericksburg and I said ‘well, then I need to come up with something.’ Then, I went to Kyle (Kramm, City of Seguin Main Street and CVB director) and he said, we’ve got the squirrel thing going on’ and I said perfect, you’ve done all the leg work! So just for Donny and I, it had to be at the high school somewhere because we both graduated from here and we go to everything here and we are still so connected here so it had to be here and to be bold enough to put it right in front of the stadium instead of on the street is making a statement of saying that’s who we are. We aren’t just driving by the school. We are involved in the school. So, I’m just thrilled,” said Beicker.
Of course, as part of the project, donors not only have to purchase the squirrel, but they have to also find their own artist to come up with a creative idea. The one thing that the Beicker’s requested was that “Mighty” be created by students. That task was eventually put into the hands of the SHS Art Class members under the direction of Art Teacher Patricia Bernaden.
As for the final reveal, Cathy said she couldn’t have been more excited.
“The kids were just so creative, and I was just on the outside the whole time. Then, they had to turn in a drawing for their plan and that’s the first glimmer I got of what their idea was, and I was like ‘that is fabulous.’ And then you look at it and it is such a good idea. I hope it will be a nice attraction that kids will want to take pictures with it and for people walking into the stadium to know that the Squirrel Trail Program is 14 squirrels now and maybe others will jump on board, and we will have more to come,” said Beicker.
While “Mighty” signifies all students, Cathy said there was one thing at the very end that she felt needed to be personalized.
“When I finally saw what it was, and it was a letter jacket, and I thought it ought to have a football number right? And so, I knew Donny’s number because we dated in high school and I knew his number and when I look at it, it takes me back to high school,” said Beicker.
While Donny isn’t surprised that his wife still remembers his football number all these 50 plus years later, he is still appreciative for the tribute as well as the recognition of all the other numerous adventures that exist for students at SHS.
“It is pretty cool. It was a good idea. I’ll know that there is still a part of me there. It’s nice. The patches that they put on there make it more personal to the school. The people who (painted) it did a very good job,” said Donny.
Donny’s #12 jersey number is only one of the many fine details that folks will find on the squirrel project.
Among those ensuring that every inch of “Mighty” was perfect with all of these details was Art student Janaya Williams. Even though she had eyes on the project all throughout, she says seeing all their work come together in the end was just amazing.
“I was like ‘wow’ okay, we got to this point. We started off with just a white canvas. There was nothing there and then we added shading and brought everything together into one. I would like for them to see the color contrast and how we used the gold and yellow and the grays to make everything pop out and stand out and match the school colors. It was like a big reveal because personally, I didn’t get to see the last thing because I wasn’t there but it’s nice seeing it all put together finally,” said Williams.
It might not have been, however, until this week’s public reveal that the high school students really began to understand the magnitude of their work – work that will forever remain “in sight” at their one-day alma mater. At least that’s according to Sophomore Art Student Sarah Elliott.
“It was very much a team effort – multiple people worked on this squirrel at the same time and at different times. It was really fun. I can speak for the Art Club because Art Club along with some other students (worked on the project). It was really fun and an exciting experience. I didn’t realize that it would be as big as this. So, I’m actually really happy and proud of this thing because art doesn’t get as much recognition and so this was really fun,” said Elliott.
Luckily for the students, their Art Teacher, Mrs. Bernaden had a clear idea of this community driven request and says she is proud of her students and their ability to take on the assignment.
“Honestly, I was really grateful for the opportunity just because I knew how big of a project the Squirrel Trail was in the city of Seguin. I know I recognize the squirrels around town. I like looking at them. I like seeing them. So, the thought that our squirrel was going to bring that same kind of joy to people was kind of heartwarming and I was 110 percent about it,” said Bernaden.
Although the new baseball/softball complex was her initial plan to host the squirrel, Cathy says she can’t help but thank Sean Hoffmann, former public information officer, for suggesting that it be at Matador Stadium. She says after searching for the right location, outside the ticket booth provides plenty of exposure to the public.
“I’m hoping other schools in the district will get on board and say, we need something like that at our school. I just feel that it is something that people will take notice of, and this facility is so fabulous, and our high school is so fabulous so I’m proud to have come from here and I’m proud to at least have marked it with an art piece. And as much as I like sports, I like drama, and I like art. I like all that stuff too,” said Beicker.
Those interested in also jumping on the Squirrel Trail bandwagon are encouraged to contact the Seguin Main Street office at 830-401-2448.