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Nats mascot hopefuls compete for the job of a lifetime

By WTOP Staff

Jamie Forzato, wtop.com

WASHINGTON – It was audition day at Nationals Park where 58 finalists tried out to become the next Racing President.

Selected fans hoping to fill the shoes of George, Tom, Abe, Teddy and Bill competed in a 40-yard dash and two races from center field to first base. The contestants were also judged on their freestyle dance and victory poses Saturday.

The Nationals requested reporters only use the first names of the finalists to preserve the mascots’ anonymity.

John, a 26-year-old Arlington resident, was the first to strap on George Washington’s head and complete the forty-yard dash.

“It was harder than I expected. When they run during the games, they go so fast they make it look easy. But as soon as I took my first few steps I was like ‘Wow.’ Just trying to stay balanced was tough.”

This was his first Nationals mascot audition.

“Every time I come to the games, the Presidents’ race is always the best part. So I thought it would be really cool to see if I could get it. But it’s wicked hard.”

D.C. firefighter John, a 32-year-old Crofton, Md., resident, says he’s been coming to Nationals games for years.

“I think the Presidents’ races are one of the best traditions in baseball. I’ve always wanted to be a mascot. So this is a chance to fulfill a lifelong dream today. So hopefully I make the team.”

He said the hardest part of the tryout was the forty-yard dash.

“The strap of my costume actually popped open so I was just trying not to fall,” he says.

Jodi from Olney, Mc., says it was the best race she ever lost.

“Incredible! Just incredible! Here I am on a Saturday afternoon on the warning track at Nats Park. I couldn’t be happier,” she says.

Tom Davis, the Washington Nationals Entertainment Manager, says speed isn’t the only deciding factor.

“I like to have the fastest because it’s fun to see. But definitely personality will overshadow speed,” he says. “If you can make George your own, that really helps you.”

The 12-foot oversized mascots weigh at least 30 pounds. Contestants raced in George, Tom, and Abe costumes. Teddy and Bill are on vacation.

The tryout was invitation-only. Hundreds of applicants submitted a cover letter, resume and recent photo. The applicants completed a questionnaire about their personalities and knowledge of the Presidents.

The pool for the 2013 baseball season was narrowed down to 60 hopefuls. The winner will find out they got the part-time seasonal job sometime this week.

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Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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