Jesse Zerr

Jesse has been a Linn-Mar student for his whole life, and he’s used that time to dive into his interests, build strong relationships, and leave a lasting impression, both on stage and behind a mascot mask.

During the school year, Jesse spends much of his time in the theater department. When he’s not acting, designing, or helping with tech, he enjoys being outdoors, hanging out with friends, working on his car, hiking, fishing, skiing and camping. In the summer, he works as a camp counselor at YMCA Camp Wapsie, where he helps kids unplug and connect with nature.

One of Jesse’s most unique experiences at Linn-Mar was serving as King, the school mascot. He jumped at the chance a year and a half ago when Mrs. Allison Borchers first introduced the opportunity. With a strong background in theater and a knack for performance, he brought energy and creativity to the role without ever saying a word.

“Being the mascot is so different from acting on stage,” Jesse said. “On stage, I can talk and use facial expressions, but with the mascot head on, I had to figure out new ways to make people laugh or have fun.”

He especially enjoyed seeing kids and classmates react to King without knowing it was him under the costume. That anonymity made the experience more fun and meaningful. He also has a few favorite moments, like dancing with parents and grandparents during games, where he saw how the playful spirit of King could bring out a smile from anyone, no matter their age.

Jesse has been a part of Linn-Mar’s theater program since his freshman year and joined show choir tech crew as a sophomore. As a senior, he served as the crew lead for 10th Street Edition, a role that helped him grow as a leader and work closely with an amazing team. He’s also been involved in student advisory council and choir, giving him the chance to connect with students across the school.

After graduation, Jesse will attend the University of Northern Iowa to major in Theater Design and Production with a minor in Spanish. He’s passionate about storytelling through theater and the way it brings together artists of all kinds to create something powerful. “Theater is all about collaboration,” Jesse said. “In just one production, dozens of artists get together and share their skillset and put in hours of work for one goal.”

Jesse credits much of his growth to the people he met at Linn-Mar. While many teachers made an impact, he says Marcia Smith, Linn-Mar’s theater director, stands out the most. “She’s patient, kind, motivated, and she truly cares,” Jesse said. “I know every senior in theater would agree when I say: Thank you, Mrs. Smith, for being the most amazing mentor ever.”

Whether he’s behind the curtain or behind the mascot mask, Jesse brings joy, creativity, and a love for performance to everything he does.