Our Someone 2 Know is energetic, enthusiastic and always on the move - which makes him a perfect fit as the mascot for WNC - Western Nevada College.

Addison Hopkins says landing the mascot scholarship helped him fulfill his dream of attending college, and the joy he gets from being a mascot - is food for his soul.

Willy is the name of the mascot, Addison is the name of the teenager filling those giant shoes. 

"Right now I'm dual enrolled at Carson High and WNC - Western Nevada College."

Hopkins is doing his senior year of high school on the WNC campus while also taking college classes, plus, "I work down at, down here in this building as a senator on the ASWN which is the student government program here.”

“I don't know where he finds the time to do half the things and one of our rock star students for sure,” enthuses Kyle Dalpe, the president Western Nevada College.

That positive, rock star energy is contagious says Dalpe.

“That charisma will actually bring more students to the campus and we can serve more students.”

Hopkins loves it saying, "I have some eclectic skills that make it fun for me. I can walk around on stilts, roller blades, I’m about to get some jumping stilts, too.”

Hopkins was the mascot for Pratt High School in Kansas and moved to Carson City for the opportunity at Western Nevada College. He said he had been looking for scholarships since he started high school.

"I don't have anyone I can ask for - for college, for money. I know everything I do, I have to do myself.”

Addison says growing up, his grandma was a huge influence on his life.

"'Cause my parents weren't always there for me - and so she helped raise me a lot. She was always there for me whatever I needed and she told me to always look on the bright side of life.”

Addison says, his positivity is more than just a persona he puts on with the mascot costume. "I know this doesn't work for a lot of people, but I can choose not to be sad. People are like - if you're sad, get over it, and that actually works for me (he laughs) and, so ...”

So, Hopkins is moving ahead with his next big plan when he attends University Nevada, Reno next year.

"Being a mascot at a D-1 school is my dream.”

Hopkins has to try out, of course - there could be competition - and he's up to the challenge.

"No matter what you have going on in life, no matter the situation you come from, with a good work ethic and a good attitude you can accomplish anything.”

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If you would like to see Addison in action, with yet another unique skill, you can often find him in Virginia City making balloon animals.