Kentucky Children’s Hospital Selects Mascot

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 26, 2010) — Two University of Kentucky students have been selected to serve as Stitches the official mascot representing Kentucky Children's Hospital. Stitches is a kitten and attends numerous events on campus as well as throughout the state.

Stephanie Carlon was selected as the head mascot and Hunter Harp will be apprentice or backup mascot and also serve as a handler. Both students will receive scholarship support for the spring and fall semesters for their commitment to the Kentucky Children's Hospital.

Carlon, a hospitality and tourism sophomore, is the daughter of Amy and Rocky McClintock of Georgetown.

"I feel so incredibly blessed to have been given this opportunity," said Carlon. "It is most exciting to me to think that I might be able to take a child's mind off of an otherwise difficult situation even for just 10 minutes. I can't wait to bring the spirit of Stitches to life this summer and next year and represent the Kentucky Children's Hospital."

Harp is the son of Arnee' and Paul Harp of Elizabethtown. He is a sophomore majoring in accounting.  

Kentucky Children's Hospital began the mascot program three years ago. “Stitches is a member of our Kentucky Children’s Hospital team,” said Dr. Tim Bricker, Jacqueline Noonan Children's Miracle Network Professor and Chair of Pediatrics, UK College of Medicine, and physician-in-chief of Kentucky Children's Hospital. “We are pleased to award these scholarships to Stephanie and Hunter and have them as part of our team."

For more information, contact Cynde Estep at (859) 257-2623 or e-mail at cleste2@uky.edu.