Wells ISD reveals official moniker for cannon mascot

The Wells Pirates’ foes best watch out, lest they RELEASE… THE KRAKEN!!!

Wells Independent School District’s students learned the name of the school’s new mascot, a seven-foot working replica of a pirate ship’s battle cannon, during a morning pep rally held Friday, Oct. 26. The faux-artillery was christened The Kraken.

“We held a contest all month long,” WES Principal Bryan Caughlin, maker of the cannon, said. “Students dropped their loose change into jars to vote and the name on the jar with the most money won.”

Choices included Admiral, Black Barnacle, the Jolly Jim and Orange Thunder, and were provided by the Wells Cheerleader sponsors, Christy Davis and Candice Dement. Proceeds from the vote will benefit the cheerleaders’ projects in the upcoming school year.

“The Kraken and Orange Thunder proved to be the most popular, but The Kraken won out at the end,” Caughlin said.

Constructed of PVC pipe and insulation foam, the chase gun – traditionally, the cannon located at the bow of a ship, used during pursuit – is nestled in its very own hand-crafted axle, to make moving it into position easier. A staff member touches it off using calcium carbonite and water – resulting in an impressive flame and ear-shattering boom!

Caughlin, with the help of WISD staffer Brett Redd, built the cannon after he determined buying one would be too expensive. They got their plans for the project after an online search.

“It’s basically a highly modified potato gun,” WISD Superintendent Dr. Jim Moore said. “Mr. Caughlin came to me in the spring with this idea, as a way to help increase school spirit, create new traditions and bring back our old traditions. He and Brett worked on it all summer and we debuted it at our first pep rally at the end of the first week of school. Everyone loved it.”

Caughlin agreed.

“I think we probably about gave everyone a heart attack the first time we lit it,” Caughlin said with a laugh. “During testing, the first couple of times were misfires, but when that first shot finally went off, it was great – blew the back off and everything!

“When I approached Dr. Moore about this, he was very receptive of the idea. It’s nice to have that kind of support.”

The Kraken will be released and fired during and after the Pirates’ sporting events, especially wins.
“We give people a heads up before we touch it off now,” Moore said. “It’s awesome, but it is LOUD!”