For a few years in the early 1900s and then from 1921 to about 1947 (with a few gaps), Meredith College classes selected a child mascot for their senior year. Usually chosen just before commencement from nominations by class members, these young mascots were often related to alumnae, trustees, faculty members or students. These children would accompany the class during Class Day, and if chosen earlier in the year, would occasionally participate in other campus events with the senior class. Their portrait would also often be included in the Oak Leaves yearbook.
Margaret Hunter, mascot of the Class of 1907.
Charlotte Louise Allen, mascot for the Class of 1921.
Rupert Riley, mascot of the Class of 1926.
Melissa McNeill Turner, mascot of the Class of 1927.
For at least one year, 1927, the Oak Leaves staff also had a mascot. So did the Acorn staff and the Twig staff.
Mary Elizabeth Phinney, mascot of the Class of 1928
William Bailey Jones, Jr., mascot of the Class of 1929.
Two children help with the Crook on Class Day 1939. While only one child mascot, Gene Holland Wall, was named and photographed with the Senior Class, it is possible he had a friend or sibling with him for support.
Although not named in the yearbook, the child mascot walks into Class Day between two members of the Class of 1947.
Carlyle Campbell Library
Meredith College
3800 Hillsborough St.
Raleigh, NC 27607
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