Our View: Sugarbeeters putting forth a great effort in mascot contest

The Hi-Line is well known for its community spirit, and no one can top the residents of Chinook for their loyalty to their community.

Chinook folks have shown their community spirit far beyond expectations in recent days. USA Today is conducting a nationwide survey to see which high school has the best mascot. For the last 80 years or so, Chinook High School has been the Sugarbeeters, and that name has raised interest and sometimes smirks from all parts of the nation, including late-night TV hosts.

So school officials thought this would be a great time to raise a little school and community spirit by starting a campaign to get some votes for the Beeters. They couldn't have expected the massive outpouring that resulted.

Community residents, alums from all parts of the country and students have spent hours in front of their computers casting votes for the hometown mascot.

So far, they have garnered about a million votes. Not bad for a community of about 1,200 people.

While they won preliminary regional contests, the Sugarbeeters now trail the Orphans of Centralia, Ill., which has nearly 16 million. Not to be poor sports, but Centralia is in Illinois, and they know how to stuff the ballot boxes there.

There is still some time to cast your ballots for the Sugarbeeters. Call up http://contest.usatodayhss.com/vote/mascot/final and cast your vote for the team.

It may not be enough to put them over the top, but it will show support for the tremendous effort the community has undertaken.

As the contest comes to a conclusion, Chinook and the entire Hi-Line can take a bow.

Well done, Sugarbeeters.