The dragon hidden among us
Cheeto, the bearded dragon
AP environment earth science Botany and Zoology teacher Adrien Marriott is holding breaded dragon. This breaded dragon is something of a mascot for Marriott’s class.
October 16, 2022
At Bonita Vista High School (BVH), there lies a creature or more accurately, a dragon in Botany and Zoology, Advanced Placement Environmental Science, and Earth Biology teacher Adrienne Marriott’s classroom. The creature’s name is Cheeto. He is a bearded dragon and a sassy one at that.
Cheeto is more than just a bearded dragon, he is a morale boost, a mascot in Marriotts class and most importantly a friend to students who get to know him. Cheeto has a very friendly personality. Students can feed him with their hands and even he allows the students to hold him.
“[He is always] chilling on people’s shoulders, [and] he’s living his best life,” senior Apple Guzman said. “I used to be really nervous that he would poop on me and now I let him sit on me. He used to be shy, [I felt like he would say] don’t touch me.”
Cheeto is not only able to attract the adoration of students but teachers as well. Reptile-loving International Baccalaureate Environmental Systems and Societies teacher Jennifer Ekstein loves reptiles making her a natural friend to Cheeto. She is a friend who feeds Cheeto, but she is not alone in this matter because other teachers help as well.
“I love reptiles. Whenever I see a reptile, it makes me really happy. I love to hold them or feed them,” Ekstein said. “Whenever I get extra leftover lettuce from the cafeteria, I will gladly bring it to Miss Marriott to feed Cheeto. I know that whenever Dr. Mardahl [a science teacher at BVH] has insects; she shares those as well [to feed Cheeto]. He also likes mealworms, he gets a lot of delightful treats.” He’s just [an] amazing [class pet], he is so good at socializing, and he looks so cute. — Botany and Zoology, Advanced Placement environmental science, and Earth Biology teacher Adrienne Marriott
Many staff members love Cheeto and love to feed him when they get the chance to. While most teachers do take a liking to Cheeto, it is quite natural for some to be fearful of Cheeto. In fact, teachers have shown their fear of Cheeto before even approaching him.
“I’m not gonna name names, but some of them [colleagues] will not go near Cheeto. It’s kind of funny, but most of them like Cheeto.” Marriott said.
Before Cheeto came to BVH, Marriott had multiple cats which showed an interest in Cheeto so she had decided it would be easier to keep Cheeto at school. This led Cheeto to experience a rise in fame at BVH. Cheeto spends almost all his time at school with other students and staff members.
“Cheeto stays here [on campus] all the time, except when we’re gone for more than a week. So he does go home for summer break and winter break. But lizards don’t have to eat every day. So he can kind of be alright for about a week by himself,” Marriott said.
Since Cheeto is considerably popular among students, it’s only natural that students should want to take photos with him and spread word about him. There is never enough Cheeto to be had. In fact, he does have a side not many know about; his aesthetic side. This side of Cheeto is most noticeable when taking photos with him.
“I usually tell people about Cheeto or post him on my story and then I’ll post it alongside pictures of me with my friends, and my family,” Guzman said. “When I get home, I tell my dad about Cheeto.”
Many students and teachers who know of Cheeto think of him as a mascot in Marriott’s classroom. This statement for the most part comes from the fact that Cheeto is a class pet and the fact that he dresses up often. It is conceivable to say that he is a dragon with a fashionable passion.
“I remember she [Marriott] talked about Cheeto and she mentioned that he wears clothing. Cheeto can be decorated,” Ekstein said. “I think it’s cute and I think it’s great to dress up your pets.”
Cheeto is not like any old ordinary dragon he is much more. For many he represents an anchor; someone who can pull attention back to class and is definitely a much-needed light in the boredom that class may bring to a student.
“He just brings people joy, especially with the two-hour long [classes]. You can get bored and distracted, [and] he kind of keeps you still in the class,” Guzman said. “He’s just [an] amazing [class pet], he is so good at socializing and he looks cute.”
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