Mascots from around the Coastal Bend helped celebrate Valdar the Viking’s second birthday on April 16 in the Harvin Center.
Izzy the Islander from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Porky the Javelina from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and more paid a visit to Valdar’s birthday party. Sammy the Seagull from the Corpus Christi Hooks even brought Valdar a gift.
Rito Silva, vice president of student affairs, spoke about when Valdar first came to life.
“This project became in the spring of 2016 with Valdar,” Silva said. “We set up a committee and we knew what we wanted from our mascot: to represent the courage of our students, to show off the pride of our alumni, and that would meet the dreams of future students.”
Estevan Guerra, student life specialist and mascot trainer, invited many local businesses to the event. Groups such as Pepsi, Freedom Fitness and Nothing Bundt Cakes had their own tables and spoke to students about internships and other opportunities and raffled away free gifts.
“We get to share such a special event, not only with our students, but others in our community as well,” said Natasha Perez, Student Government Association president. “As this academic year comes to a close, I think it’s also important to celebrate and emphasize the aspect of inclusion in coming together as students and a community to make friends, connections, and set aside our differences and just enjoy one another. And what a better way then hanging out with Valdar and his buddies?”
While this wasn’t his first birthday it was his first birthday bash, according to Guerra.
With Valdar unable to talk, he certainly was ecstatic to see the huge turnout.
Students were excited and surprised with the event. Abigail Land, education major, had no idea of the celebration when she went to the Harvin Center to look for her brother.
“I think it’s cool that they’re doing this,” Land said. “Del Mar doesn’t have a lot of stuff to do, so it gives students something fun to be a part of.”
Elizabeth De La Garza, kinesiology major, said the party is a great idea to bring people closer together.
“We’re able to recognize other groups and gather information about certain things that we may be interested in,” De La Garza said.
Valdar walks into the Harvin Center excited to get the festivities rolling. 
Estevan Guerra, student life specialist and mascot trainer, smiles for the camera with Valdar. 
Students and staff were able to sign Valdar’s birthday card with words of encouragement. 
Sammy the Seagull was one of the few mascots to bring Valdar a present to his birthday party.
