Massachusetts school to keep ‘Millionaires’ mascot name

LENOX, Mass. – Students at a Massachusetts school want to remain Millionaires.

The Lenox Memorial Middle and High School student council on Wednesday announced that a school-wide poll found a majority of students want to keep the sometimes contentious Millionaires mascot.

About 96 per cent of the school’s 438 students voted last month. Fifty-one per cent voted to keep the nickname, 32 per cent wanted to change it, and 17 per cent had no opinion.

Students last spring voted to change it because it is divisive, leads to taunts from opposing schools, and doesn’t accurately reflect the picturesque town’s economics.

Superintendent Timothy Lee tells The Berkshire Eagle the latest vote “puts the issue to rest.”

The nickname is a tribute to wealthy out-of-towners, called “cottagers,” who built mansions during the gilded age and employed the locals.

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Information from: The Berkshire (Mass.) Eagle, http://www.berkshireeagle.com