Meet the Student Who Brought Bolt to Life

By Eli Meschko

Media & Communications Coordinator

When Juan Celio first came to Briar Cliff, he was just a kid from the Chicago suburbs looking to continue running cross country with the Chargers.

However, his impact on the university ended up extending beyond both athletic achievements and the classroom.

Celio, a native of Cicero, Illinois, and member of the class of 2025, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a double minor in Spanish and photography.

He was drawn to criminal justice out of curiosity for how legal systems shape society. Personally, he enjoyed learning things in different ways while in the program. He explored both the structure of the court system and the role of policing in communities.

“It was a good opportunity to get out and not always be in the classroom,” Celio said. “I enjoyed going out into the community and finding out how criminal justice works in America.”

His personal favorite class he took while in the criminal justice program was the domestic violence class. The class opened his eyes to the realities of domestic violence and deepened his understanding of its long-term impact.

While he enjoyed his studies in college, the accomplishment he is most proud of is being able to say he was the first Bolt — Briar Cliff’s mascot.

He vividly remembers the excitement surrounding Bolt’s debut in December 2023. The university sent out a QR code to students to apply to be the mascot. Celio tried using the code, but it wasn’t quite working for him.

Fortunately, he had come to know Lauren Langston, the mascot’s creator, through a community committee. So, he asked her about it and ended up interviewing and getting the job.

“It was a great way to jump at an opportunity that not many people have,” Celio said. “Since this was the first time Briar Cliff had a mascot, it was just a great way to expand the university’s name out in Siouxland.”

Through the three semesters he was Bolt, he had the chance to connect with community members and appear at their events to bring Bolt to life. He helped define Bolt’s unique presence — crafting rules like not speaking or smiling, even behind the mask.

A few people knew that he was behind the mask during his final few semesters. But for the most part, his identity remained a secret, which was both crucial to making Bolt feel like a true mascot and a true personal joy.

“It was a joy because people were always like, ‘Who is that?’” Celio said. “I would disappear for a while and then come back, and people didn’t get the gist of me actually being Bolt.”

Although his time as Bolt is over, he still envisions that Bolt can be recognized by everyone. Whether it's a Briar Cliff student or a member of the Siouxland community, he hopes Bolt can continue serving the community and connect with people.

As for Celio’s personal plans following his graduation, he has since shipped off to basic training to join the Army. It has been a dream of his since he was a kid, and he has a picture from sixth grade saying he was going to be a soldier.

Though life has taken him far from Briar Cliff and the Bolt costume, he remained thankful for all the experiences he had in college. He had a unique opportunity to invest in BCU’s future as its mascot while investing in himself and his childhood dream.