lected to serve as the Monti Bear mascot. Nathan Petros has been chosen as the main Monti Bear mascot, and Jordan Ammons has been named the alternate.The mascot, which turns three years old in August, originated from the plush toy Monti Bear created by Pat Antion, Friends of WVU Hospitals Gift Shop manager, in 2006. Monti, a West Virginia black bear, is named after the state motto, “Montani Semper Liberi,” meaning “Mountaineers are always free.” He is dressed like the Hug-A-Bear Monti plush toy, which was designed in honor of WVU Men’s Basketball Coach Bob Huggins. Hug-A-Bear and the Monti Bear mascot both sport coonskin caps with the Flying WV logo and a blue jacket with gold buttons.
Petros, son of William and Karen Petros, has served as a junior volunteer at WVU Healthcare for the past three summers. He is a junior at Morgantown High School. He is working toward his Eagle Scout and was elected into the Order of the Arrow, a Boy Scout Honor Society. For being selected as Monti, he will receive a $1,500 educational award and will
serve 70 hours in the costume. This will be his second year as Monti.Ammons, daughter of Eric and Ann Ammons, is a new junior volunteer at WVU Healthcare. She is a sophomore at University High School, where she is a member of the wrestling team and the 2102 Championship Cheerleading Team. She is also the recipient of the All-Conference Academic Team-Scholarship for grades and athletics and is an All-American Scholar. As the alternate, she receives a $750 educational award and will serve 35 hours as Monti. Her first appearance as Monti will be at Clay-Battelle High School during WESTEST week.
Monti will appear at various parades and special events at the hospital and in the community, including those at day care centers and public schools.
To have Monti visit with your department or organization, contact Pam Shriver at shriverpa@wvuhealtcare.com or Pat Antion at antionp@wvuhealtcare.com.