Meneley unveils new mascot

Monty the mountain lion has arrived at Meneley Elementary School.

The school's Web site provides a short bio of the friendly mascot and shows pictures of his eventful journey to his new home in Gardnerville. From his birth-cave in Montana's Glacier National Park, to the monolithic cliffs of Colorado, to the cool breaking surf of Mexico, the pictures capture Monty's travels around the western half of North America.

"He had two brothers and one sister," the Web site reads. "But Monty was different from them. He liked to play, laugh, sing songs, write stories, color, do math and read. He enjoyed learning and going to school. But no schools in Montana would allow Monty to attend because he was a mountain lion. His brothers and sister laughed at him for trying. His parents told Monty he should pursue his dreams and find a school that would accept him."

That school was Meneley Elementary. Although Monty's official debut was at the spaghetti feed fundraiser on Saturday, Monty showed up at the school on Friday in the classroom of teacher Sherrie Jackson. Also there were the 12 sixth-graders of the student council who'd helped fund Monty's arrival.

"The student council spent four weeks selling raffle tickets, selling pickles at the student store, and going door-to-door for donations," Jackson said. "The costume cost $1,100."

Jackson said the idea to bring on a real, live mascot originated about four weeks ago.

"The PTO supported us monetarily and gave us some nice donations," she said. "In four weeks, we raised about $200 in pennies, while teachers made donations themselves and hosted raffles. We all wanted a mascot."

All along, Jackson said, students followed Monty's progress on the school's Web site, anxiously awaiting his arrival.

"Monty will be at all the big fundraisers from now on," Jackson said. "If a class earns enough points, they can get a party with Monty. He will be at all the assemblies, too, and even a judge in the science fair."

Jackson thanked Meneley computer tech Mark Johnson for his Photoshop work on Monty's travels.

"It became a geography lesson," she said.

Jackson also said a real 7-foot-high wood house and mailbox were being built for Monty in the school's foyer.

"He'll sleep during the day, and only come out for special events," she explained.

Student council member Juli Garcia, 12, said she helped give a presentation to the parent-teacher organization asking for money and explaining why Monty would be beneficial to the school.

"I think Monty will help motivate kids," Juli said. "They'll do better, because then they'll get to hang out with Monty."

Fellow student council member Eliza Figueroa said she helped sell 40 pickles a day at the student store to raise money.

"Look how cute he is," she exclaimed, pointing to the cuddly lion. "It will be entertainment for the kids."

Although Monty doesn't speak human, student Amber Johnson was able to interpret his mountain lion language.

"He says hi," Amber said. "He loves Meneley and says it's his favorite school."

When asked if Monty is going to learn English, Amber replied, "He's a mountain lion - he can't talk, but he loves to dance."

To read more about Monty and view pictures of his trip, visit http://schools.dcsd.k12.nv.us/ccmes/ and click on the "student council" link in the center of the front page.