Though there’s not exactly a mascot tradition at Chilton County High School, Macee Thomas might just start one.

Thomas, a rising senior, has for five years entertained at sporting events and excelled at cheerleading camps as Chil-Co, the CCHS Tiger. Until Thomas, the school had not had an official mascot since the 1970s.

“It just looked fun,” Thomas said about her decision to become the Clanton Middle School mascot, Chili, while in the seventh grade. “I love it. It’s fun acting goofy and cheering on the team.”

Thomas recently won a Leadership Award and designation as Camp Champion and All-American at the Auburn University cheerleading camp. The All-American honor, her fifth in a row, earns Thomas a trip to college football’s Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Fla. on Jan. 1, 2010. Thomas will be one of about a dozen mascots and several hundred cheerleaders that will perform before the game.

After that, Thomas plans to try out for the University of Alabama’s mascot, Big Al.

Thomas said she has considered donating the Chil-Co suit, which she owns and that cost about $1,000, to the school.

“It’s kind of my suit, though; I don’t know if I want to give it up,” she said.