GRAND BLANC, MI – His face hidden by a bobcat mask, he dances in front of crowds, giving students high fives and encouraging them to cheer louder.

To most students at Grand Blanc West Middle School, he is known only as Victor E. Bobcat.

Only his family and one friend know Victor's true identity: Andrese Duke.

For Andrese, his time as mascot has been about more than just bringing smiles his classmates' faces -- it's been a way to come out of his shell.

Before donning the costume, autism made the soft-spoken, well-mannered, seventh-grader shy, isolated from his peers.

But Andrese has come out of his shell. He makes eye contact and is quick to warm up to strangers and offer a fist-bump. He talks more and raises his hand unprovoked to answer questions from the teachers and in the hallway he interacts with students and staff.

Special Education teacher Raymond Haden works closely with Andrese and has seen a transformation in the 13-year-old since he has taken over the role of Victor E. Bobcat.

"This has impacted his confidence and increased his social ability in the classroom with students," Haden said.

Andrese has served as the mascot for about five months – something that Haden said "sort of just manifested."

During an annual meeting between the teachers, staff, Andrese and his family, Andrese spotted the mascot costume in the meeting room, where it is stored, and asked about it.

"When he expressed an interest in that we started looking at each other – OK this could possibility be a fit for Andrese," Haden said.

Traditionally, an eighth-grader gets to don the mascot uniform and a student had already been selected for the school year.

But, the day of one of the school's pep rallies, that student was absent. And Andrese was asked to step in.

"He was overjoyed to say the least," Haden said.

Andrese was told to address the crowds of students and to raise his arms in the air, skip around, high-five students, dance a little. He met the challenge.

Adrian Duke said her son was so excited when he was able to put on the mascot costume. He talks about it all the time and Duke said Andrese won't let her forget when there's an upcoming pep rally at school.

"It gave him a purpose. He's always loved school, but it gave him somewhat of a purpose and responsibility. He took it so serious, like it was his job," Duke said. "This is really something big. He's such a special little boy."

At the school, the person wearing the mascot costume is a mystery – it's always been a secret. Students aren't sure who it is and some even think it's a teacher underneath that mask.

But in Andrese's case – only one other student knows he's the mascot – friend seventh-grader Stephen Nelson.

Stephen said Andrese has been making friends now and said he's even felt popular.

"He's been high-fiving the kids. Everyone was having fun with him when he was the mascot," Stephen said.

And Andrese's his favorite part is the high-fives from the other students.

Secret Identity: Autistic Grand Blanc teen uses mascot costume to connect with peers 5 Gallery: Secret Identity: Autistic Grand Blanc teen uses mascot costume to connect with peers

Dana DeFever can be reached at 810-429-3919 or ddefever@mlive.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @DanaDeFever or subscribe to her on Facebook.