Vlad the Viking, Guilfords’ mascot, has been a face of Viking spirit since Guilford High School was founded in 1963, and today he is still a part of Guilfords’ culture, but the Viking mascot has changed its appearance over the years.

To start off, the costume was primitive and simple. The Viking was just a guy with a helmet, sword, and an old white cloth outfit. Today, the Viking mascot is a full body costume with a big Viking head. The mascot costume was donated by Guilford Booster Club. Since the beginning of the school, the mascot’s job has not changed: to cheer fans up at school events and be the face of Guilford.

“He was always at football games, basketball games, and other school events,” said Bo Hammarberg, Guilford graduate of 1969 and art teacher, who remembers his experiences seeing the Viking when he was a student. “We had a really big marching band back then that would march for the Labor and Memorial parades and the Viking would lead the band every time. The Viking was just a usual mascot as it is today.”

No mascot would be complete without an energetic performer inside the costume. That is why for the past two years, Alex Marshall, senior, has been Guilfords’ mascot. Marshall noticed his sophomore year that no one has taken on the role of being mascot since he began high school, and he wanted to change that, so the job was his.

“I wanted to be the mascot because it looked fun. I get to be crazy and do things that I wouldn’t normally do without the costume,” said Marshall. “It’s something I’ll always remember in high school. It’s pretty cool that I get to tell my kids one day that I was the mascot for Guilford.”

The mascot ignites school spirit and symbolizes what Viking culture is all about.

“The Viking is a symbolic of Guilford spirit. He brings us together and strengthens the spirit,” said Jackson Gehrke, senior. “It gives us something to laugh at and gets us to cheer louder. Games that the Viking is at are always so much fun.”

Guilford spirit is something the Viking brings to this school, and after this year the costumes will be handed down to another student. Until then, Marshall will do his best this year to bring the Viking out of everyone.

“Viking stands for spirit, our success, and winning,” said Marshall. “The mascot is a huge spirit boost. If you have someone out there doing crazy stuff and dressed as a Viking, it will get everyone more pumped up.”