Obie mascot finds her footing with adoptive family

PERRY TWP. − Nine years ago, foster parent Dionna Stokes-Ellis opened her door to a 9-year-old girl who was angry and traumatized.

Today, Jasmine Mazariegos is a thriving 17-year-old honor student who serves as the Obie mascot for Massillon Washington High School's Tiger Swing Band.

A senior, she also was selected as an attendant on the school's homecoming court, is a member of the Washingtonians and Advance choirs, and serves as choir president. She also is a member of the praise dance team at her church, Praise of Life Tabernacle.

"Jasmine persevered. She came from a very rough background," said Stokes-Ellis, a mother of eight which includes four daughters adopted out of foster care, including Jasmine and her biological sister Jackie, who is now an adult.

"Initially, she came into the system as a foster placement and was just having some issues getting acclimated to everything that was going on, a change of life; wasn't really doing well in school, and was having some trouble with her attitude."

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An aspiring teacher, Jasmine said Stokes-Ellis' unwavering support and being introduced to music helped to trigger a positive change that resulted in her vaulting to the top of her class.

When Jasmine wanted to quit band because she also was involved in sports, Stokes-Ellis wouldn't let her.

"She told me to stick to it because I made a commitment," Jasmine said. "I found a really good passion in band, and also in choir."

'Shake it off.'

"I said, 'You know, the arts is where you get to expand,'" her mother recalled. "That was her way of dealing with everything that was going on, and it became her coping technique. So every day that she has to haul all of her stuff to school or I have to pick up the Obie the Tiger costume, she lets me know, 'I wanted to quit this in eighth grade but you made me stick with it.'"

Not only did she stay, she joined the Tiger Jazz Band.

Jasmine said she decided to try out for Obie in 2020, her junior year.

"You have to have recommendations from teachers, and you have to have a good GPA," she explained.

Formed in 1914, the Tiger Swing Band is the oldest marching high school band in Ohio.

She won the audition, consisting of an on-field speed test and an original, choreographed dance routine.

"I did it to 'Shake it Off,' which was really embarrassing," she said to laughter. "They basically look for people who aren't afraid to show their personality and can do well with kids because you're always around kids."

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One dance-off she had against another school's mascot last year ended up going viral, netting 200,000 views on YouTube.

"I won, of course," she said laughing.

Her proud mom added, "They tell me she is going down in history as the best Obie the Tiger thus far."

Tiger Swing Band Director Jason Neel agreed, lauding Jasmine's skills and character.

"She's responsible. She's respectful. She's helpful to others," he said. "She's an outstanding leader. She works really hard to be the best she can be at whatever she does. She has an incredible sense of improvisation and that makes her one of the best mascots we've ever had. We're going to miss her."

Neel said that through Jasmine, Obie has been a great ambassador to the community.

"The younger kids look up to Obie the Tiger in an incredible way," he said. "The excitement she brings to the children especially is off the charts."

Neel noted that despite her high-profile role, Jasmine is humble.

"She tells me all the time, 'I'm just doing my job,'" he said. "I believe she believes she's not doing anything extra special, but she is."

Stokes-Ellis said her late finance, Donnell Reeves, served as an important father figure and support system, particularly for Jasmine, until his death in April.

Before he became ill, Reeves transported Jasmine and her Obie costume to most of the school functions.

Stokes-Ellis said her family and Jasmine's adoptive siblings have stepped up to fill the gap.

"He was my go-to person," she said.

"My son came and stayed for two-and-a-half months," she said. "Everybody chipped in and made sure she got to where she needed to be."

'We're a melting pot, but it works.'

Stokes-Ellis, who serves as director of housing for ICAN, is mother to three biological children, including adult son, Justin, deceased daughter Margaret, and Chauncey Reeves, who is 9; adopted daughters Jada and Shyanna Stokes, Jasmine and Jackie Mazariegos; and Shelby Stokes, who is in the process of being adopted. She also is fostering Shelby's brother, and has a grandson who lives with the family.

"We have Black children and white children, and Jasmine and Jackie are Hispanic. We're a melting pot, but it works," Stokes-Ellis said. "We are a family and everybody sticks together and supports the other person's projects, whatever endeavor they're in. Shyanna was in bowling, and we supported her. Jada's big on film and is in the process of going to film school."

Amanda Clark is a clinical coordinator with the Ohio Mentor/Savita Health, a nationwide, nonprofit network that offers child and family support care, community and support services, specialized health and rehabilitation services, and senior services.

"Dionna is wonderful," Clark said. "She takes on some of the kids that we've had the most problems with. We have a hard time finding homes that are able to take these kids in, and take care of them the way they should be taken care of. All of the trauma they've been through and their backgrounds and everything."

Clark said Stokes-Ellis has the gift of empathy.

"Having that empathetic, motherly bond with them, she does wonderfully," she said. "There's been many kids that have been placed with her that have not thrived in other homes, but they have in hers."

Stokes-Ellis said her children have been crucial in helping new foster children to adjust.

"Everybody has a role," she said. "We don't take a lot of placements because, honestly, you've got to be able to fit in because we don't have a lot of drama. Don't get me wrong, we're not perfect by any means. We have our yelling and screaming days, OK? But for the most part, we do things together."

Stokes-Ellis said she and her former husband were motivated to foster children after their daughter died.

"We knew we wanted to give back," she said. "We got a divorce but he and I are the greatest of friends and very supportive of each other. At the end of the day, I wanted to make sure that I gave back and help when I could."

Jasmine said she plans to double major in early childhood education and accounting, but hasn't yet selected a college.

Asked where she thinks she would be if she hadn't been adopted, Jasmine responded, "I actually don't know. I think about that. Obviously, I'm thankful to be here and adopted because I feel like I wouldn't be as successful if I wasn't here. I felt like I had a lot of problems and trauma going on before I got here."

But her mom gives her more credit.

"She's a pretty solid kid," Stokes-Ellis said. "I think that wherever she landed, she would have done well."

Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com.

On Twitter: @cgoshayREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Jasmine Mazariegos finds purpose as Massillon's Obie the Tiger mascot