Other suggested names
Thrasher Elementary kindergarten (Amanda Seay)Shinn by Cameron Opatich; Caroline by Hudson Henry; Sparkles by Aubrey Dunn; Landon by Landon Shelley; Lightning by Lillian Hogue; Rainbow by Carly Stone; Scout by Catherine Fowler; Shine by Zoie Denman; Thunder by Battle HollidayHilger Higher Learning science classes (Kim Crossman)Wingfeather by third and fourth grades; Orlinda and Justice and Skyscaper by fifth and sixth gradesJohn Allen Elementary kindergarten (Kristy Plumlee)Avi, Gaby, FionaGanns Middle Valley Elementary fourth-grade (Priscilla Williams)ScarlettBrainerd Baptist School K4 (Joann Hellmann)Lightning StrikeLookout Mountain Elementary School second grade (Ellen Bullard)America, Grace, Brave, Heart, Ellie, Sky, Lea, Susan, Alisa, Lily, LeyhaSkyuka HallDaisy by Tiffani Fleck’s K-1; OH by Amber Hick’s fourth grade; Eva by Melissa Hecker’s fifth grade; Skylar by Becky Williams’ sixth grade; Felicia by Jessica Smith’s seventh grade; Athena by Ashley Moore’s eighth gradeRhea Central Elementary fifth-grade (Charlotte Johnston)Mrs. America suggested by William Eaves; Lady Eagle by Conner McKee; Lady America by Cindy Nance; Lady USA by Mariah Spence
Meet Flora Nooga, the beautiful bald eagle who now lives near a tiny pond and waterfall in her home at Reflection Riding Arbortoreum & Nature Center.
She can thank the John Allen Elementary School kindergarten for her new name. They were among dozens of Chattanooga-area children who suggested names for the female eagle with the Reflection staff choosing their suggestions as the winner. The students' teacher is Kristy Plumlee and her students will be honored with a plaque on the wire fence surrounding the eagle habitat.
It all began with a story about Reflection Riding in the April 11 Life section of the Times Free Press. Director of Wildlife Tish Gailmard noted that a name was needed for the eagle, which came to the nature preserve after being hit by a car in Florida. The newspaper asked students in grades kindergarten through sixth to come up with names, which were then submitted to Gailmard.
"Our class suggested the names Flora because she is from Florida and Nooga for the amazing city of Chattanooga," Kristy Plumlee said.
For coming up with the name Flora Nooga, Plumlee's class will have a chance to meet Ember, Reflection's red-shouldered hawk who might be treated to her favorite lunch, frozen mice, so the children can watch her munch a "mousesicle."
Some classes brainstormed ideas then voted on the favorites to submit; others allowed individual students to suggest names.
The second-place winner was "Lady Liberty," a name suggested by Anthony Thompson of Charlotte Johnston's fifth-grade in Rhea Central Elementary School in Dayton, Tenn.
The third-place winner was Sky Jewel, a combination of names from several schools. Sky was submitted by both the third- and fourth-grade science classes at Hilger Higher Learning Elementary and also by Lookout Mountain Elementary School's second-grade class. Jewel came from Thrasher Elementary School kindergartener Drew Willard.
"If a name didn't win this time, tell the children not to worry because there are a lot of animals to name and we can have more contests," Gailmard said.
And there is some news coming out of Reflection Riding this week about a new baby animal coming to the park. Keep an eye on the paper for the update.
Contact Lynda Edwards at ledwards@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6391.