Photo Gallery | Help Mid-South turkey win 'most unusual' in USA TODAY contest

A Mid-South school mascot has been named the most unusual mascot in Tennessee and the southern region by USA TODAY High School Sports and voters.

Now, St. Mary's Episcopal School's mascot the Turkey is proudly competing against five schools in attempt to gobble up the “most unusual” title nationally.

The school believes the Turkey is a symbol of more than just their campus, but a true Memphis underdog story.

"This contest is no longer just about the Turkey, or school pride, it is about our city and its pride. How great would it be if the whole city embraced the Turkey as a symbol of Memphis can-do spirit?" said St. Mary’s Episcopal School Director of Communication Sally Walker Davies.

The state contest alone attracted more than 6.3 million votes nationwide.

“St. Mary's takes immense pride in her distinctive mascot,” said Head of School Albert Throckmorton. “We are a school that leads the way in education, and it is fun to have a mascot that reminds us that we can be really smart and have a sense of humor.”

The Turkey has been the St. Mary’s mascot since 1975. Two seniors – Lisa Morrow Morten and Crissy Garrett Haslam (now first lady of Tennessee) – decided to have a little fun and create an unofficial school mascot.

They choose a turkey for their unofficial – and as the girls thought temporary – mascot.

Turkey-themed spirit wear and Turkey pep rallies followed, and the Turkey soon became the official St. Mary’s mascot.

Voting for USA TODAY’s Most Unusual High School Mascot Contest takes place online here.

Voters can vote as many times as they like until voting ends Wednesday, March 27 at 2:00 p.m. The Turkey will literally need millions of votes to win. The national winner will receive $2,000 for its athletic department.

But again - the school said it is not about the money. It is about creating pride and spirit in our community and the greater Memphis community.

Again, you can vote for the Turkey in USA TODAY’s Most Unusual High School Mascot Contest online here.