Artist Bob Tommey hopes that when Carthage High School students troop into their new high school next year, they will pass by his interpretation of their school mascot.

After presenting his idea to the R-9 school board, Tommey sculpted a model of a tiger, moving with a relaxed gait down an incline of rocks.

At 7 feet long and 6 feet high, the tiger is 1 1/2 times life-size, and what Tommey considers “a major piece of work.” That would be a fitting symbol for the new high school. Mark Baker, assistant superintendent, says the high school now under construction is “one of the biggest if not the biggest in Southwest Missouri.”

Crossland Construction is building the 262,672-square-foot structure at a cost of $35 million to $38 million. The exact amount will depend on how much of the old furniture can be used in the new building, Baker said. Students are scheduled to make the move in January, at the beginning of the second semester of the 2008-09 school year.

The current high school is more than 100 years old; the cornerstone was laid in 1904, and the first graduating class was in 1906, according to Baker. After a brief period to allow renovation and expansion of the cafeteria, it will serve seventh- and eighth-graders.

While weather problems have caused delays in certain areas, the contractor has assured school officials that the new high school is on schedule for completion in mid-December. Baker said the tiger would be placed under an awning at the main entrance

Tommey said he has considered creating the tiger mascot for some time to honor his children, grandchildren and all their friends who attended Carthage schools and participated in Carthage Tiger sports.

“I got to know all the football players,” he said.

Construction of the new high school seemed an appropriate time to put his idea into action.

There’s just one hitch. Transporting the model to a Texas foundry, and the labor and materials for casting and finishing the mold and getting it back to Carthage will cost about $80,000. Tommey cannot begin the three-month effort until a significant portion of that cost is raised. To date, about $4,000 has been donated, according to Sandy Higgins, a patron of the arts who volunteered to help seek donations.

Awareness of the campaign has grown through posters, and letters to corporations and individuals. Higgins said any contribution is welcome, and every penny will go to the cost of bronzing, materials and transportation. Donors of $1,000 or more will have their names engraved on a plaque on the work. Higgins is trying to contact the presidents of all graduating classes with the hope that each class will support the mascot project. The gifts are tax-deductible, Higgins said. She can be reached at (417) 358-7163.

The tiger model is on view at Tommey’s studio, 6825 County Lane 71. It also will be on display in the Maple Leaf Parade in October. Tommey and fellow sculptor Bill Snow created the Marlin Perkins statue in Central Park. Beginning to end, that project took 2 1/2 years, so Tommey still has hope for his tiger.