Tu Revista Latina Magazine

Superfan

Every high school has a mascot intended to be a lucky charm of sorts; a representative of the school. But, no high school has ever had such an iconic personality representing it as Las Cruces High School. Anyone who has ever been to a football, basketball or volleyball game can discern that dominant bark. It is a signature bark that cannot and will not be imitated. It starts every game, it ends every game and as it resonates through the fields and gyms, it has the power to motivate each player and pump up every fan like nothing else. It comes from the sweetest seventy-seven year-old mascot Las Cruces has ever seen. His name is Jessy Vaughn…to us he is simply SUPERFAN.

During the course of his life, he has been called everything from a physicist, to a scientist, to a man with a near-genius IQ and even a superhero. You see, before he was Superfan to us, he worked for Litton Data Systems who designs military defense systems for all branches of the military. He performed top-secret jobs for the government and traveled around the world fixing multi-million dollar problems.
Jessy was so devoted to his job that he had little involvement with his wife, Ervinna and his children while they were growing up. As a matter of fact, his family rarely saw him. If they were lucky, they’d see him every other weekend when he was in the States and about every six months if he was out of the country. As unusual as this may seem to an ordinary family, his wife and children became accustomed to his absence. It was no big deal when Jessy missed high school graduations, weddings and such because it was understood that he was on assignment and nothing came before his job.

It was a painful day for Jessy when the very company, that he was so devoted to and for whom he had given up so many precious memories, asked him to retire. He took it like a man and stout-heartedly attempted to embrace his “involuntary” retirement. He bought a place deep in the Gila Wilderness where he isolated himself and Ervinna, hours from the nearest town. But, a man with his capacity, experience and intelligence requires constant mental stimulation. During this time, he was not getting that, nor was he getting the attention he was used to from his work. Jessy began to feel like he wasn’t needed. One can only imagine what qualms he was struggling with during this dismal time in his life.

Opportunely, for all of us, a miraculous thing happened to Jessy. Perhaps, it was the luxury of actually having time to spend with his family or perhaps it was something bigger, like his faith in Jesus and Ervinna’s unconditional love. Whatever it was, it saw him out of that slump and he discovered the joy of grandkids. With his new found affection, Jessy took interest in their lives, even changing diapers and helping out with homework.

His grandson, James, drew Jessy down from the mountains one day to an LCHS football game where he was to perform with the marching band. Jessy attended the following game and following one. Shortly afterwards, he became a regular. After James’ graduation, Jessy continued attending not only football games, but basketball and volleyball games as well.

Superfan was born; a befitting name for a man who learns every player’s name along with their strengths and weaknesses and is able to change the ambiance of a game with one very unique bark.

Jessy quickly became an honorary fan. So much that, at the homecoming game in 1998, the student government presented Jessy with a plaque officially naming him “Superfan.” Chico Smith, a football player at the time, came up to the stands and told him that he belonged on the field with them and since then, a place is reserved right next to the players for Superfan.

“I cheer for the dawgs because they never quit!” exclaims Superfan. Whether they are 10-0, 5-5 or 0-10 Superfan is there; a staple at any LCHS game, ready to lead cheers in the stands and bleachers with his face painted and his unmistakable BARK! All the while encouraging every athlete and making sure they know that someone is always on their side.

By Gloria Vaquera

Winter 2011