By Sergio Bardesi-Texocotitla ’22
A&E Editor and Chive Editor
In April of 2016, Kristina Rawlings ’19 documented a tragedy in the making for the Stentor’s Chive section. The situation challenged Lake Forest College mascot’s position, tenure, and mental stability. Boomer the Bear was under an un-bear-able amount of stress. I decided to dig through the Stentor’s archives to figure out how the Boomer kept his job and what he did during the pandemic.
In the article, Rawlings quoted Boomer the Bear, “I can’t believe they think I have multiple personality disorder… I mean, sure, there are several students getting in this costume, but we’re all one Boomer!” At the time, this changing personality concerned Public Safety. In an effort to protect the students, Public Safety replaced the Bear with Sammy the Squirrel out of safety concerns.
This decision soothed some students, but a majority felt that the Squirrel’s image was unfit to lead the Forester Family. Sandy Sponge, who graduated from LFC in 1999, said, “A lot of students and alumni organized and got legal help for Boomer… after this, behind-the-scenes talks were organized… Boomer had to attend psychotherapy twice a month.” Sponge describes a scenario of students stopping by Halas Hall, the Bear’s house, to leave fluffy teddy bears holding “it-snout-fair!”
Between this period of 2016 and 2020, Boomer the Bear focused on slowly reestablishing his identity and brand on campus. Then, the pandemic began, and the Bear said, “Everyone left… a few international students kept me company and janitor Jerry became my best friend, but I really made Boomer’s Den my own relaxation spot.”
He let out a yawn during the interview. “During a normal school year, I only had enough time to hibernate for one to three months at a time. During the pandemic, I hibernated from April through January… After 25 years of spreading school spirit, I needed that rest. Jackie Slaats left me a few gallons of honey in my den.”
When asked about school spirit this Fall semester, he said: “Reestablishing school spirit in this not-so-normal year challenges us, but the students have joined me in this effort. I might just get my fur dyed red!”
