Zach Conner took over as the Emmaus High School mascot last school year and found his niche.

As the Hornet, he supports the cheering squad in raising school spirit at football and basketball games. Zach has also participated in several team fundraisers and appeared at the Special Olympics held at Whitehall High School.

Zach told The Press the role of the mascot is “to promote school spirit and community spirit to support our school.” His plan is to be the mascot until he graduates in 2020.

“I feel it is important to have a high school mascot for it is a representation of our school that students can rally around,” Zach told The Press in an article published in April.

As much fun as Zach was having, the Hornet costume was another matter.

“I did have a horrifying experience when I was throwing confetti to the students in the student section and my arm hit my mascot head and it fell off in front of everyone. It was after that experience that we felt there has to be a better designed mascot suit so this wouldn’t happen again and with the new suit, I can possibly be more interactive with the cheer squad, dance team and sports teams,” Zach said.

Zach’s parents Jen and Chris and his brother Andrew began fundraising.

In partnership with the Green Hornet Touchdown Club, Zach and his family began a mascot makeover campaign to raise the $5,000 needed to purchase a new uniform for the Emmaus Hornet. Jen Conner said many of the booster clubs supported these efforts as well. On March 1, a gofundme account was established (https://www.gofundme.com/mascotmakeover) and a variety of other fundraising events were planned. The gofundme effort raised $3,500.

During girls and boys lacrosse games, donations were accepted and Zach’s family organized a bingo party May 6 at Emmaus Fire Company #1.

“We were able to raise the funds needed for a new uniform and for the Hornet to have some fun activities to engage the crowds,” Jen Conner said.

Keystone Mascots, in Brownstown, provided the custom-made uniform.

In July, Zach went to mascot training camp at Millersville University in Lancaster County, organized by Keystone Mascots. This three day camp provided an opportunity for Zach to learn time management, safety, acting skills, sportsmanship, crowd interaction, maintenance and care of uniform and more.

The rejuvenated Hornet will be revealed at halftime at the EHS football game Aug. 24.

“The Conner family would like to say a big thank you to the community, the school district and local businesses for their support and efforts in making this happen,” Jen Conner said.

“I am ready to show what I learned at mascot camp and really excited to meet the crowd on Friday,” Zach said. “Go Hornets!”