Buzz Jacket, the mascot for Fort Mill High School, is in the running for national recognition from the Mascot Hall of Fame, and you can help him get there by voting online.

Someone at the Fort Mill High School Athletic Booster Club nominated Buzz Jacket for three categories, including (1) High School Community Impact, (2) High School Best In-Game Routine or Skit and (3) High School Best Video Skit or Short.

And the nominations were made for good reason since Buzz Jacket is more than a mascot. If you have ever looked at Buzz’s social media pages, Buzz is regularly informing his followers about voting for Fort Mill High School athletes who have been nominated for the Herald’s recognition of “Athlete of the Week.” The mascot is also great about promoting school sports as well as other Fort Mill High School activities.

Before the current student took over the mascot responsibilities in April 2020, Buzz was seen mostly at home football games. The current Buzz has embraced the role by attending events for each school sport including cross-country running, wrestling, swimming, golf and tennis.

Earlier this year, he did a creative and fun promotional video for the Special Olympics and the FMHS polar plunge fundraiser. Buzz even supported the performing arts at FMHS last spring during their performance of “Mamma Mia.”

So who is Buzz? That’s just one question you can’t ask.

“Buzz wants to remain anonymous because it is NOT about the person in the costume. It is about school spirit!” the mascot said.

It’s clear Buzz is a great cheerleader for all Fort Mill High School activities, but now he needs some support of his own.

These national awards are based on public vote. Voting opened on Oct. 19 and closes on Nov. 12. Voting is only allowed once per day per category.

Click the link here to vote.

Greg "Ricky Bobby" Rickabaugh has lived in the Fort Mill and York County community since 2006. He has covered the area while a reporter for The Charlotte Observer and a freelance writer for The Fort Mill...