Schools
Blue Knight Debuts At St. Joseph The Worker
An eighth grade student was chosen to dress as the new mascot this school year.
Question: What’s navy blue with white trim and sports the logo for St. Joseph the Worker School in Orefield?
Answer: The Blue Knight, St. Joseph’s new mascot.
This is the 15th year of operation for St. Joseph the Worker School. With that in mind, school Principal Jody Myers said she was looking for “things that brand St. Joe’s.”
Last school year, she polled Mike Storino’s seventh grade religion class – students now in their final, eighth grade year at the school – for ideas about a school mascot.
Once the Blue Knight was suggested, Myers said, it received “lots of support.”
The school’s Parent Teacher Organization purchased a professional mascot costume from Facemakers Inc. According to its Web site, the Savanna, IL, company also has supplied mascots for Disney, high schools and colleges.
The next step was to choose a student to wear the Blue Knight costume. Myers said she chose Michael Cardiges of Fogelsville, an eighth grader, because of his dependability.
“It’s fun, but it also has a serious side,” Myers said.
Zach Henry of Alburtis, also an eighth grader, is the backup.
Cardiges, who greeted students in costume on the first day of school this year, said he readily agreed to be the mascot. “I thought it would be fun and enjoyable," he said. "It’s fun to go to all the events.”
The school has 373 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Michael said that though some kindergarteners seemed a bit afraid of his costume on the first day of school, the reaction in general has been good.
The Blue Knight will make an appearance at one of the school’s major fundraisers, a walkathon on Oct. 14.
Myers said it makes sense to have the Blue Knight as the school mascot because the school’s theme for this year is “to protect and defend each other.
“St. Joseph was the protector of his family.”