Bright Futures: Geisel represents PN-G as Indian Spirit

Published 10:40 am Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Thousands of people have seen Matthew Geisel in action as Port Neches-Groves High School’s Indian Spirit.

Taking on the iconic role means a lot to the senior, as he is a role model for others as well as tasked with getting the crowds pumped up during pep rallies and football games.

“When I cheer on the Indians I can feel the honor, pride and tradition,” Geisel said of how it feels during packed performances. “I can feel everyone, the pride for PNG, the honor and the tradition by the continuance of the Indian Spirit. I want to throw my spear into the air.”

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

The Indian Spirit dresses in specific clothing including a headdress, face paint, purple tabard, black pants, moccasins with bells on the shin guards and decorated back plate. The outfit is passed down from one Indian Spirit to another and the only part that changes is the shield, which is customized by each new person in that role.

For this Geisel chose scripture from Romans 12:2 — “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

“We can be changed by the ways of the world but should be transformed by renewing our mind,” he said. “The verse is meaningful to me and I want to be here in front of all those people and stay true to God.”

Geisel’s drive to become Indian Spirit stems from seeing the 2012 Indian Spirit, Isaac Addison, perform when Geisel was in the eighth grade — a moment he called inspiring.

The busy senior is also involved in other activities at school. He has been in theater since his freshman year and in his sophomore year he took on the role of Pinocchio in “Shrek the Musical.” Last year he was cast as Lucas Beineke in “Addams Family the Musical.”

“The spring musical this year is “Tarzan.” It will be fun and a good show,” he said.

Melissa Eyles, theater director, has worked with Geisel going on four years.

“He is a kind and consistent leader with all age groups,” Eyles said. “He never says ‘I can’t’ or ‘I don’t have time.’ He finds a way to make it work.”

Besides theater, Geisel is a peer tutor and assists teachers at Taft Elementary School. He is also involved in church organizations and took part in a State Speakers Tournament where he came in at fifth place in the state level of competition.

In addition, he works two to three days a week at the Hallmark Store.

Tennis was a large part of Geisel’s life and last year he and doubles partner Seth Lampson went to regionals.

“I can’t do tennis in the fall because of my schedule as Indian Spirit and don’t know if I will be able to play in the spring or not,” he said. “Tennis is a big part of my life.”

But Geisel has found a substitution activity — table tennis, or ping pong.

“One day a guy I graduated with last year bragged about ping pong and no one ever brags about ping pong. But he did,” he said. “He has a table in his garage and we had a good, long game.”

Geisel wanted to continue playing ping pong and learned of a table tennis club at a Beaumont church.

“Every Wednesday night I go to Beaumont to play table tennis. I’m the youngest guy in the club. Most are between 50and 60 and these people are really good,” he said.

Geisel has a younger brother, Mark, who is a freshman, who he hopes would one day carry on the tradition of being Indian Spirit.

“I think it would be neat to have a Geisel as Indian Spirit in his freshman year and when the freshmen are seniors to have a Geisel as Indian Spirit again,” he said.

Matthew Geisel, of Groves, is the son of Debbie Geisel and George Geisel.

Mary Meaux: 409-721-2429

Twitter: @MaryMeauxPANEws