When Issac Teran stepped onto the Bowie High School campus as a freshman, he was just another face in the crowd, fueled by this restless, infectious energy that landed him a seat on the student council. “They really liked my energy,” Teran recalls with a smile. “It was just who I was.”

He had no way of knowing that within a year, that same kinetic spirit would transform him into the literal face of the school.

Now a senior, Teran is hanging up the oversized (and sometimes a little creepy) head of The Volunteer.. What began as a sophomore-year whim evolved into a legendary run—quite literally. Teran didn’t just stand on the sidelines; he sprinted into the elite ranks of the flag runners, leading the Volunteer Troops onto the field when the Vols made it into the end zone.

His journey from the council room to the end zone has earned him a permanent spot in the Vols Hall of Fame as the longest-serving mascot in school history.

“It was a happy surprise and I’ve enjoyed it ever since,” Teran said. “It’s very surreal. I didn’t expect to become a mascot. Being student council during the school year football season and after that as well.”

But as his high school career closes, a shadow of uncertainty hangs over the costume. For the first time in years, the “Vols” are without a clear successor. That oversized head is waiting, but the right one hasn’t come along to fill it just yet.

“That’s something we’re still trying to figure out,” Teran admits. “There’s one person I have in mind right now, but the search continues. I’d like to see more people try out to see who has that spark.”

For now, the suit sits ready, waiting for the next student to carry the flag.