WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- September is here which means schools are back in session. Along with academia comes athletics. Most schools are generally represented by traditional mascots like eagles, knights, bulldogs and warriors. Occasionally, a school will go outside of the norm and choose to be represented by a less-than-traditional mascot.
WUSA9 takes a look at a few of the "odd-ball" mascots from our area's high schools.
Academy of the Holy Cross Tartans
We had to do some research into what exactly a Tartan is and even after that, the meaning still remained unclear, so we had to consult an expert.
According to Holy Cross alumni Keegan Carroll of Bethesda, Maryland, the Tartan mascot has "a dual-meaning".
"The first meaning of 'Tartan' is a woven piece of plaid fabric, like a skirt," said Carroll.
"Our school is based on the fact that we are all woven together as one community."
The second meaning of 'Tartan' as it pertains to Holy Cross is more inclined to athletics.
"On the field, a 'Tartan' is a lady warrior and Holy Cross depicts our Tartan mascot wearing plaid, so it all comes full-circle when you put the two meanings together," said Carroll.
The Tartans of Holy Cross are surely warriors in field hockey where they won WCAC championships in 2006 and 2008-12.
Georgetown Day Grasshoppers
The Grasshoppers are one of the more interesting mascots in the area, especially because the small bug isn't the most intimidating creature out there.
But make no mistake, the Grasshoppers are for real when it comes to track and field. Georgetown Day has won five-straight Mid-Atlantic Athletic Conference track and field titles. Maybe the track and field athletes at Georgetown Day have a little more "hop" in their step than their competitors.
The Madeira School Snails
The Snails are by far the oddest mascot choice in the Washington-area. When you think of athletics, speed, power, agility and explosiveness are just a few of the words that come to mind. Unfortunately, the snail does not possess any of these traits.
One of Madeira's best sports does involve an animal that does possess the aforementioned characteristics. The all-girls school based out of McLean, Virginia is known for its equestrian team which consistently places riders in regional and national competitions.
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