How we came to be the Prairie View Buffalo!

The students of Prairie View Elementary have a new school and -- thanks to a creative local artist -- a new mascot. Last year, residents helped the district select a mascot for the school. Now, their selection – the Buffalo – is a reality. 

Enid cartoonist Curtis Tucker created the buffalo’s image, which will now be used for the school’s website, printed materials, t-shirts and more. Students will help name the buffalo after the school year begins.

“Curtis is amazingly talented and imaginative, and his work is known across the nation. His buffalo design is the perfect balance of professional and child-friendly, just like Prairie View will be,” said Amber Graham Fitzgerald, Director of Human Resources and Communication. “It was icing on the cake that an Enid High School graduate could be the creative force behind Enid’s newest mascot.”

Tucker, a former advertising director, began his cartooning career in 1989. Known as “that sneaker wearing entrepreneurial cartoonist internet guy,” he now owns Shaggy Duck Studios, which is made up of many smaller niche companies. His creative genius can be found in websites, blogs, company logos, greeting cards and more.

Prairie View, Enid’s first new school since 1963, will open its doors to students Wednesday. Last spring, hundreds of students and community members submitted entries for the Prairie View Who? mascot search. The district announced the selection of the Buffalo as the mascot during the building’s groundbreaking ceremony in May 2011.

The building, located near the corner of Willow and Garland, features first-class educational resources, rich materials, natural light and colors reminiscent of the plains. The 2010 bond issue funded construction of the building, which will provide additional classroom space for EPS’ growing enrollment. Clark Koepping will be the school’s principal.