As Two Corvallis Middle Schools Combine, Students Name a New Mascot and Colors

Corvallis Junior High has officially found its identity. Last week, during a joint assembly between Linus Pauling and Cheldelin Middle Schools, students learned that they will officially be the Corvallis Junior High Panthers, with black and gold as their colors.

Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, Corvallis Junior High – formerly Linus Pauling Middle School – will serve 7th and 8th-grade students from across the Corvallis community, combining the campuses of Linus Pauling and Cheldelin Middle Schools.

The mascot reveal marks a milestone in the transition.

To ensure the new school identity reflected the combined student bodies, the selection process was handed to the students. A student committee, with students from Linus Pauling and Cheldelin, dubbed the “Mascot Madness” team, led the initiative. The team gathered initial mascot ideas and color combinations from their peers, narrowed down the submissions to the top contenders, and facilitated a final, two-school-wide vote.

The reveal itself was kept a secret. Sixth and seventh-grade students from both middle schools gathered at Linus Pauling for a day of community building. At the end of the day, students attended an assembly that included the unveiling of the Panther.

Stephanne Seals, the current Cheldelin principal and incoming Principal of Corvallis Junior High, expressed pride in how the students handled the responsibility of choosing their new legacy.

“Transitions like this bring a lot of change, but I am incredibly proud of the leadership, maturity, and ownership our students showed throughout this entire process,” said Seals. “The Mascot Madness team worked hard to ensure that student voices from both Cheldelin and Linus Pauling were heard. I couldn’t be more excited to lead our students into the new school year.”