Fales Students are Mighty Hedgehogs

Fales Elementary School students are Mighty Hedgehogs.

Annie the Hedgehog -- named after Annie Fales -- was introduced to students and staff Friday during the school's weekly meeting in the auditorium.

Fales' new mascot was chosen through a school-wide vote in November, after which all students were asked to draw "what they thought the hedgehog should look like," Principal Maryann Stannard said. Local artist Ginny Orlando then designed Annie based on visiting Fales and photographing the drawings, Stannard said.

"Each and every one of you hold a piece of this mascot," Stannard said.

The final design was revealed on a screen on the stage as Stannard, Orlando, third-graders Alex Deluca and Jared Antone and several staff members turned their backs to the students and showed white T-shirts with that design on the back, with a smaller version on the front.

Music teacher Pam Yanco then led the crowd in a celebratory chant.

"Mighty Hedgehogs! We're the Mighty Hedgehogs! Hedgehogs rule!" the group chanted.