Derek Gannon

Derek Gannon, 18, is well known for his dramatic flair. A member of the Thespian Honor Society, he's always able to deliver just the right line, on cue and with perfect pitch. But Gannon's most notable role wasn't on the stage -- it was on the sidelines of his school's courts and playing fields.

As a bystander, Gannon, a senior at Sanborn Regional High School in Kingston, N.H., stands out in the crowd. Dressed in a toga, he jumps up and down, proudly waving a school flag that his mother made for him.

In the past, Sanborn students wearing tribal costumes and face paint would flock to games to cheer on their school teams, dubbed the Indians, but the tradition was abandoned a few years ago in deference to those who found it offensive.

School spirit seemed to suffer a similar fate. That is, until Gannon took on the self-appointed role of school mascot.

``I try to go to all of the home games," said Gannon. ``I think it's important for the players to know they have support."

Gannon knows firsthand the power of ardent fans. He is an athlete who ran indoor track, played tennis, and was a member of Sanborn's 2004 state champion soccer team. After capturing the state title, the team bus was met at the town border by police cruisers and firetrucks, lights flashing. They were escorted through the town back to the high school, where they rang the bell to celebrate their victory.

``It was great to be able to share that experience with all of the kids I had grown up playing soccer with, and then to have the town come out and meet us after that game, it was just amazing," said Gannon, who is expected to graduate in the top 10 percent of his class on June 16 . He will attend the University of New Hampshire next fall with plans to study medical laboratory science .

High school guidance counselor Greg Pantazis is hopeful that Gannon's example will be an inspiration to other students, that someone else will become a an unofficial mascot for Sanborn next year.

``We'll have to wait and see what happens," said Pantazis. ``There aren't a lot of kids who have the kind of character that Derek does. He's not just an outstanding student. He's an outstanding person."