The student worker lives, breathes and exudes Leo energy in a perfect match for Valley’s mascot.
By Ava Rosate, Staff Writer
Ever since high school, Beatrix Teaney wanted to be a school mascot. When she arrived at Valley College she had the chance to step into the skin of a lion.
Born in Utah, the woman behind the mask came to Los Angeles on her own at 18 years old after graduating high school. She took two gap years off after high school to pursue personal growth endeavors. Then, in fall of 2019, Teaney enrolled in Valley as a cultural anthropology major.
A year after being enrolled at Valley, she became a student worker at the Outreach Program, where she met Liam the Lion, Valley’s mascot. After a promotional photoshoot for Valley involving Teaney, her coworkers and the Liam costume, the 24 year old student knew she wanted to wear the lion costume.
“Back in high school, I always wanted to be the mascot but it was very gendered and they wouldn't let girls be the mascot for whatever reason,” said the 24-year-old. “When I asked Raquel Sanchez, the student engagement coordinator, she was surprised that I wanted to wear the costume. I told her there was nothing I’d like more than to be the mascot.”
One of the driving factors of Teaney’s choice to embody Liam is the fact that she is exuberant and vibrant — characteristics she attributes to her astrological sign — Leo.
“We are ruled by the sun, the largest and brightest thing in our sky, so I usually like to think of myself as very large and bright in the people's lives around me,” the anthropology major explained, while brushing out the matted fur of the lion costume.
The second reason Teaney wanted to step into the costume was because of her favorite movies, “Charlie's Angels.” In the film, Cameron Diaz was the school’s mascot and Teaney resonated with Diaz’s character.
“It resonated with me because she is just so exuberant and happy and that’s me,” said Teaney
As a full time student planning to transfer to UC Chico and a part time student worker in the Outreach and Recruitment office, the dedicated Monarch’s spare time is few and far between. When she isn’t on campus, Teaney can be found cruising up the coast of Northern California in her travel van - visiting nature rich regions and thrift shopping in the area.
“Van life adds to my already rambunctious creative self, but it is not my signifying label. It’s a privilege to live like this but I'd be kidding if I said it was a constant adventure.” the 24-year-old said. “I chose this lifestyle for economical reasons during the pandemic, otherwise I would have been homeless.”
Teaney is halfway through her third year at Valley. She plans on enrolling in Chico State after she graduates in the spring. After graduation, the anthropology major plans on moving up north towards her desired university.
“I’m going to miss Liam. I wish I had asked a year earlier because being with him longer would have been awesome,” said Teaney. “One of my favorite things about putting on the costume is making students and anybody who interacts with me happy. I also love the anonymity of it. I’m obviously a very stand out person, but when I put on the costume I can still stand out — though people won’t know it’s me.”
Teaney, the student behind the mascot, is also a student worker at the Outreach Office. The full time student many hobbies include beekeeping, thrift shopping, horseback riding and candle making.