Brown hair sticks out from the fuzzy mascot suit as Colt Walker takes off his mask in the crowded gym. Loud cries erupt from the bleachers as the identity of this year’s Spirit is revealed.
The Ocean Lakes mascot is widely known as Spirit the Dolphin, an amicable representation of the school’s essence of “the Dolphins.” Each year, the mascot is embodied by a student in charge of representing, encouraging and helping the student body.
“When I see Spirit, I feel like a Dolphin,” junior Ishaan Potnurri said.
A mascot is selected from the Student Cooperative Association (SCA) Executive Board volunteering to portray the mammal. During the 2025-2026 school year, Colt Walker served as the mascot.
“I just want to make sure I can make people feel happy when they see Spirit,” Walker said.
Walker is a part of the Community Outreach Committee in SCA. This committee is in charge of orchestrating events like Fall Festival, Something in the Lakes and Mug Sales.
On top of his regular SCA duties, Walker visits Student of the Month honorings, attends festivals and participates in assemblies as Spirit.
“Colt switches gears when he becomes the dolphin by directing his focus onto everyone in the room and their needs,” senior and fellow SCA Executive Board member Kierston Haney said. “He is very good at seeing each individual person and making them all feel special.”
The Dolphin mascot is a longstanding tradition that distinguishes Ocean Lakes.
“Spirit represents the love and community that Ocean Lakes has created for its student body,” Walker said.
