PUFFS TAKE THE STAGE

T H E M A N, T H E M Y T H, T H E

For over 55 years, LHS’ mascot has been a walking symbol of the spirit that has erupted from the school since the ribbons were cut and the school began its lengthy legacy. ‘Murphy,’ LHS’ mascot resembling a cartoonish Patriot, has been one of the few constants that has carried over from the last five decades. Evolving from a paper mache figure, to a now 6ft 25 lb. mobile Patriot, Murphy is a surefire source of encouragement throughout all of LHS’ most key moments.

However, the mystery of Murphy still plagues the student body as one of the most pondered questions throughout the school. “Who is Murphy?” Although Murphy’s real identity will never be up for disclosure, the personality that is projected through the plush mascot remains note-worthy with or without direct identification.

The figure beneath the largerthan-life mascot has been notorious for its high energy and elation towards the school. However, this type of constant enthusiasm comes at the expense of a good chunk of time and energy.

“[Murphy] takes up a lot of time and space, that may be because we have a game that night, or [I could be needed] in the middle of class one day,” said Murphy. “I miss some stuff but I never let it get me behind.”

On top of the tall order schedule, the environment inside of Murphy is quite suffocating, both literally and figuratively. With no airflow and nonstop movement, Murphy is far from ideal in conditions above 40 degrees.

“I am so sweaty, it is disgusting,” said Murphy. “He is a big man and does not fit in a lot of places. “Seeing, breathing, moving, drinking, hearing, feeling and communicating [are all a challenge as Murphy.]”

Murphy finds the encouragement to push past these precarious conditions from the links that are created through the mascot and the Lincoln Crazies. Over the years, Murphy has stashed a handful of momentous moments spent with the

T H E M A N, T H E M Y T H, T H E

by Adyson sAnd, students of LHS to keep forever.

Editor-in-ChiEf “I [will always] remember chest-bumping 2020’s

For over 55 years, LHS’ mascot Homecoming king, Nick Jensen. [This moment] really has been a walking symbol of hyped up the student section,” said Murphy. the spirit that has erupted from the This type of excitement is not only felt through school since the ribbons were cut and the the student section but all of the LHS population, school began its lengthy legacy. ‘Murphy,’ including the Athletic Director, Joey Struwe. Being in LHS’ mascot resembling a cartoonish Patriot, attendance at every sporting event has given Struwe a has been one of the few constants that has solid understanding of the unquestionable influence that carried over from the last five decades. Evolving Murphy has on LHS. from a paper mache figure, to a now 6ft 25 lb. “Having [Murphy] there creates a festive atmosphere mobile Patriot, Murphy is a surefire source of for the teams and fans, in particular, the younger kids encouragement throughout all of LHS’ most key who come to events,” said Struwe. “He moments. interacts with them in a positive way

However, the mystery of Murphy still that brings positive energy to the plagues the student body as one of the event.” most pondered questions throughout the Struwe associates Murphy with school. “Who is Murphy?” Although the ability to interconnect each Murphy’s real identity will never be identity at LHS and encourage up for disclosure, the personality the principle that at LHS “we are that is projected through the plush part of the same team.” mascot remains note-worthy with “Having a mascot gives or without direct identification. people a common identity, it’s

The figure beneath the larger- what we all rally around,” said than-life mascot has been notorious Struwe. “We are all Patriots; it for its high energy and elation bonds us as a school giving towards the school. However, this type us that common identity of constant enthusiasm comes at the and hopefully a sense of expense of a good chunk of time and belonging to the same team. energy. Everyone has a desire to

“[Murphy] takes up a lot of time and belong, and we want our mascot space, that may be because we have a game to embrace [that idea]. We all that night, or [I could be needed] in the bring unique gifts to the family and middle of class one day,” said Murphy. “I miss Murphy helps us have a figure at the some stuff but I never let it get me behind.” center of the family.”

On top of the tall order schedule, the No matter how glorious the environment inside of Murphy is quite moments of victory, celebration suffocating, both literally and figuratively. With and togetherness are, there is no airflow and nonstop movement, Murphy is one upside to Murphy that is far from ideal in conditions above 40 degrees. arguably the most superior:

“I am so sweaty, it is disgusting,” said the involvement in all of Murphy. “He is a big man and does not LHS’ latest theatrics. fit in a lot of places. “Seeing, breathing, “[Murphy] keeps me moving, drinking, hearing, feeling and involved in the school and communicating [are all a challenge as gets me in with the higherMurphy.]” ups,” said Murphy. “I know

Murphy finds the encouragement to all of the juicy teacher push past these precarious conditions gossip; you would never from the links that are created through believe what I hear Dr. the mascot and the Lincoln Crazies. Over Raedar say.” the years, Murphy has stashed a handful dEsign by Adyson sAnd of momentous moments spent with the photo by Adyson sAnd

some stuff but I never let it get me behind.”

T H E M A N, T H E M Y T H, T H E On top of the tall order schedule, the environment inside of Murphy is quite suffocating, both literally and figuratively. With no airflow and nonstop movement, Murphy is far from ideal in conditions above 40 degrees. by Adyson sAnd, students of LHS to keep forever. Editor-in-ChiEf “I am so sweaty, it is disgusting,” said “I [will always] remember chest-bumping 2020’s Homecoming king, Nick Jensen. [This moment] really hyped up the student section,” said Murphy. This type of excitement is not only felt through

Murphy. “He is a big man and does not the student section but all of the LHS population, including the Athletic Director, Joey Struwe. Being in attendance at every sporting event has given Struwe a solid understanding of the unquestionable influence that fit in a lot of places. “Seeing, breathing, Murphy has on LHS. “Having [Murphy] there creates a festive atmosphere for the teams and fans, in particular, the younger kids who come to events,” said Struwe. “He moving, drinking, hearing, feeling and interacts with them in a positive way that brings positive energy to the event.” Struwe associates Murphy with communicating [are all a challenge as the ability to interconnect each identity at LHS and encourage the principle that at LHS “we are part of the same team.”

Murphy.]” “Having a mascot gives people a common identity, it’s what we all rally around,” said Struwe. “We are all Patriots; it Murphy finds the encouragement to bonds us as a school giving us that common identity and hopefully a sense of belonging to the same team. push past these precarious conditions Everyone has a desire to belong, and we want our mascot to embrace [that idea]. We all bring unique gifts to the family and from the links that are created through Murphy helps us have a figure at the center of the family.” No matter how glorious the moments of victory, celebration the mascot and the Lincoln Crazies. Over and togetherness are, there is one upside to Murphy that is arguably the most superior: the involvement in all of the years, Murphy has stashed a handful LHS’ latest theatrics. “[Murphy] keeps me involved in the school and gets me in with the higherof momentous moments spent with the ups,” said Murphy. “I know all of the juicy teacher gossip; you would never believe what I hear Dr. Raedar say.” dEsign by Adyson sAnd photo by Adyson sAnd

center of the family.” No matter how glorious the T H E M A N, T H E M Y T H, T H E moments of victory, celebration and togetherness are, there is one upside to Murphy that is arguably the most superior:

For over 55 years, LHS’ mascot the involvement in all of has been a walking symbol of the spirit that has erupted from the school since the ribbons were cut and the school began its lengthy legacy. ‘Murphy,’ LHS’ latest theatrics. LHS’ mascot resembling a cartoonish Patriot, has been one of the few constants that has carried over from the last five decades. Evolving from a paper mache figure, to a now 6ft 25 lb. “[Murphy] keeps me mobile Patriot, Murphy is a surefire source of encouragement throughout all of LHS’ most key moments. However, the mystery of Murphy still involved in the school and plagues the student body as one of the most pondered questions throughout the school. “Who is Murphy?” Although Murphy’s real identity will never be gets me in with the higher-up for disclosure, the personality that is projected through the plush mascot remains note-worthy with or without direct identification. ups,” said Murphy. “I know

The figure beneath the largerthan-life mascot has been notorious for its high energy and elation towards the school. However, this type all of the juicy teacher of constant enthusiasm comes at the expense of a good chunk of time and energy. “[Murphy] takes up a lot of time and gossip; you would never space, that may be because we have a game that night, or [I could be needed] in the middle of class one day,” said Murphy. “I miss some stuff but I never let it get me behind.” believe what I hear Dr.

On top of the tall order schedule, the environment inside of Murphy is quite suffocating, both literally and figuratively. With no airflow and nonstop movement, Murphy is Raedar say.”far from ideal in conditions above 40 degrees.

“I am so sweaty, it is disgusting,” said Murphy. “He is a big man and does not fit in a lot of places. “Seeing, breathing, moving, drinking, hearing, feeling and dEsign by Adyson sAnd communicating [are all a challenge as Murphy.]” Murphy finds the encouragement to push past these precarious conditions photo by Adyson sAnd from the links that are created through the mascot and the Lincoln Crazies. Over the years, Murphy has stashed a handful of momentous moments spent with the

by Adyson sAnd, students of LHS to keep forever. Editor-in-ChiEf “I [will always] remember chest-bumping 2020’s Homecoming king, Nick Jensen. [This moment] really hyped up the student section,” said Murphy. This type of excitement is not only felt through the student section but all of the LHS population, including the Athletic Director, Joey Struwe. Being in attendance at every sporting event has given Struwe a solid understanding of the unquestionable influence that Murphy has on LHS. “Having [Murphy] there creates a festive atmosphere for the teams and fans, in particular, the younger kids who come to events,” said Struwe. “He interacts with them in a positive way that brings positive energy to the event.” Struwe associates Murphy with the ability to interconnect each identity at LHS and encourage the principle that at LHS “we are part of the same team.” “Having a mascot gives people a common identity, it’s what we all rally around,” said Struwe. “We are all Patriots; it bonds us as a school giving us that common identity and hopefully a sense of belonging to the same team. Everyone has a desire to belong, and we want our mascot to embrace [that idea]. We all bring unique gifts to the family and Murphy helps us have a figure at the center of the family.” No matter how glorious the moments of victory, celebration and togetherness are, there is one upside to Murphy that is arguably the most superior: the involvement in all of LHS’ latest theatrics. “[Murphy] keeps me involved in the school and gets me in with the higherups,” said Murphy. “I know all of the juicy teacher gossip; you would never believe what I hear Dr. Raedar say.” dEsign by Adyson sAnd photo by Adyson sAnd