1. UNIQUE HIGH SCHOOL MASCOTS Argument of Judgment

2. ABINGTON GALLOPING GHOSTS

3.  Abington honors early football great Red Grange, nicknamed the “Galloping Ghost,” who was a teammate of a former coach at Abington. After a visit by Grange to the area in the 1950’s, the high school decided to name its teams after him.

4. WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

5.  A Leatherneck is another name for a marine. WIU is a top Law Enforcement program in the nation along with a high population of ROTC members.

6. ALVA GOLDBUGS

7.  This name was inspired by the school’s principal in the 1920’s. He was a great admirer of Edgar Allan Poe and especially liked Poe’s “The Gold Bug.” He conceived the idea of awarding paper goldbugs to outstanding and talented students. The name soon applied to Alva’s teams.

8. ANACONDA COPPERHEADS

9.  The old Anaconda Copper Company located in town may be the source for this nickname.

10. AMBRIDGE BRIDGERS

11.  The town is named for the Ambridge Bridge Company, which was once located in Ambridge. The mascot is a bridge worker.

12. ANAHEIM COLONISTS

13.  The city of Anaheim was created by German immigrants in 1857 as a wine-making colony.

14. APOPKA BLUE DARTERS

15.  This is a term for a blue-winged, pigeon-sized bird that is known for darting through wooded areas. Chosen in 1932 because it matched the school colors (blue and white) and its small size and aggressive nature seemed appropriate for the school’s rather small but speedy teams.

16. ASHLAND CLOCKERS

17.  Commemorates Ashland resident Henry Warren’s invention of the electric clock, which was manufactured in the city.