Post by elp525 on Mar 16, 2010 5:14:50 GMT -5
Tuesday March 16, 2010
Rebecca Durst is the second female to represent WVU, says she had to prove she was capable
by Candace Nelson
For the Daily Mail
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.-- West Virginia University Mountaineer mascot Rebecca Durst has handed over the musket but is keeping plenty of good memories of cheering on WVU teams.
The new mascot is Brock Burwell, a senior multidisciplinary studies major from Harrisville, who has served as an alternate this past year and was named the new mascot March 1.
"I had a wonderful time with it and enjoyed every moment," Durst, a nursing major, said of her tenure. "But academics do have to take priority in my life, and graduating is the first thing I've got to accomplish now."
A native of Point Pleasant, Durst said WVU was her sole choice for college. She's been involved with the Student Government Association, Adventure West Virginia and Makeover Morgantown.
She knew she wanted to be the Mountaineer her sophomore year when she saw then-Mountaineer Michael Squires (2007) engaging with the crowd.
"I went to a football game and saw that the Mountaineer just brought so much energy and was really involved in everything," Durst said. "I wanted to be a part of that and find a way to be active in the school, so I knew that being the Mountaineer was that for me. After I decided, there was no stopping me."
To be considered for the position of Mountaineer, interested students fill out an application with five essay questions. From the completed applications, the Mountaineer Mascot Selection Committee selects 10 candidates to participate in a half-hour interview.
The top four applicants compete in a cheer-off, which took place Feb. 27 at the WVU-Cincinnati men's basketball game.
"I know that coming forth with all that energy is what really set me apart from all the other applicants," Durst said of her selection. "I had to bring it every single time I was in front of the selection committee and every single time I was out there representing the Mountaineers. The Mountaineer represents more than just the energy of our fans, it represents our university"
As the Mountaineer, Durst attended football and basketball games, which was her favorite part of the job. However, she also traveled to alumni events, participated in parades, contributed to community service events and visited children's hospitals.
"A little boy named Garrett - I remember, his dad contacted me after I had been to the hospital and told me how excited he was to see me and how excited he was that I remembered his name whenever I saw him elsewhere," Durst said. "So that was really a touching moment for someone to come back and tell me how I affected their lives."
As only the second female to represent the university as the Mountaineer, Durst said the most difficult part of the process was convincing the committee she was capable.
Secretary of State Natalie Tennant was the mascot in 1990.
"The naysayers just fueled me to do better as a female Mountaineer in this position and just overcome the gender barrier and prove that it's spirit, not gender, that makes the Mountaineer."
Tennant has watched Durst and said, "She has been a good representative for the university. I'm glad to have another female mascot."
Durst noted that the Mountaineer is a role model for all children - male or female. But young girls especially look up to her and respond to her being a female.
"That's something I didn't expect, is to be such a role model for young girls," Durst said.
WVU President James P. Clements says his daughter Grace admired Durst.
"I think she's awesome, and she's done a great job," Clements said. "She's always full of energy, and her biggest fan lives in my house. Grace looks up to her."
Durst hopes to continue her success and be an inspiration to people of West Virginia after her term as Mountaineer is over.
"I'd love to be able to give back to my state again as a nurse," Durst said. "I had a wonderful time as the Mountaineer, and I'll always cherish these memories I have."
Rebecca Durst is the second female to represent WVU, says she had to prove she was capable
by Candace Nelson
For the Daily Mail
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.-- West Virginia University Mountaineer mascot Rebecca Durst has handed over the musket but is keeping plenty of good memories of cheering on WVU teams.
The new mascot is Brock Burwell, a senior multidisciplinary studies major from Harrisville, who has served as an alternate this past year and was named the new mascot March 1.
"I had a wonderful time with it and enjoyed every moment," Durst, a nursing major, said of her tenure. "But academics do have to take priority in my life, and graduating is the first thing I've got to accomplish now."
A native of Point Pleasant, Durst said WVU was her sole choice for college. She's been involved with the Student Government Association, Adventure West Virginia and Makeover Morgantown.
She knew she wanted to be the Mountaineer her sophomore year when she saw then-Mountaineer Michael Squires (2007) engaging with the crowd.
"I went to a football game and saw that the Mountaineer just brought so much energy and was really involved in everything," Durst said. "I wanted to be a part of that and find a way to be active in the school, so I knew that being the Mountaineer was that for me. After I decided, there was no stopping me."
To be considered for the position of Mountaineer, interested students fill out an application with five essay questions. From the completed applications, the Mountaineer Mascot Selection Committee selects 10 candidates to participate in a half-hour interview.
The top four applicants compete in a cheer-off, which took place Feb. 27 at the WVU-Cincinnati men's basketball game.
"I know that coming forth with all that energy is what really set me apart from all the other applicants," Durst said of her selection. "I had to bring it every single time I was in front of the selection committee and every single time I was out there representing the Mountaineers. The Mountaineer represents more than just the energy of our fans, it represents our university"
As the Mountaineer, Durst attended football and basketball games, which was her favorite part of the job. However, she also traveled to alumni events, participated in parades, contributed to community service events and visited children's hospitals.
"A little boy named Garrett - I remember, his dad contacted me after I had been to the hospital and told me how excited he was to see me and how excited he was that I remembered his name whenever I saw him elsewhere," Durst said. "So that was really a touching moment for someone to come back and tell me how I affected their lives."
As only the second female to represent the university as the Mountaineer, Durst said the most difficult part of the process was convincing the committee she was capable.
Secretary of State Natalie Tennant was the mascot in 1990.
"The naysayers just fueled me to do better as a female Mountaineer in this position and just overcome the gender barrier and prove that it's spirit, not gender, that makes the Mountaineer."
Tennant has watched Durst and said, "She has been a good representative for the university. I'm glad to have another female mascot."
Durst noted that the Mountaineer is a role model for all children - male or female. But young girls especially look up to her and respond to her being a female.
"That's something I didn't expect, is to be such a role model for young girls," Durst said.
WVU President James P. Clements says his daughter Grace admired Durst.
"I think she's awesome, and she's done a great job," Clements said. "She's always full of energy, and her biggest fan lives in my house. Grace looks up to her."
Durst hopes to continue her success and be an inspiration to people of West Virginia after her term as Mountaineer is over.
"I'd love to be able to give back to my state again as a nurse," Durst said. "I had a wonderful time as the Mountaineer, and I'll always cherish these memories I have."
