Meet Phoebe! Meadow Lane first-grader names first giraffe at children’s zoo

Drum roll, please…

Lincoln Children’s Zoo’s first giraffe will be named Phoebe, a name jointly announced Wednesday by the zoo and Lincoln Public Schools during a special assembly at Meadow Lane Elementary School, where first-grader Iggy Malik was honored for suggesting the winning name.

"We have some really exciting news for you today and I think it's so great that this is happening at Meadow Lane, a school with hard-working kids who love to learn," said LPS Superintendent Steve Joel. 

Children and adults alike erupted with applause as a black cloth was pulled off a large orange poster board, placed on an easel, that showed the giraffe's name printed in big letters.

"The Lincoln Children's Zoo loves working with Lincoln Public Schools - we are terrific partners - and we love that this contest has been about the very first giraffes at the zoo," said John Chapo, the zoo's president and CEO.

Last month the zoo announced it would hold a naming contest among first-grade students to name the 13-month old female giraffe – the first to call Lincoln home – and Phoebe was chosen from more than 2,200 submissions.

Zoo staff narrowed the names to a list of 20 before selecting Phoebe, noting that the name has historical significance for both the community and the school district. According to historical records, Phoebe/Phebe Elliott was the first female member of the Lincoln Board of Education back in 1887. During her time in Lincoln, she also was the first president of the Lincoln Woman’s Club from 1894 to 1896, and Elliott Elementary School carries her name.

The zoo received confirmation in early 2018 about the arrival of three giraffes. Staff immediately decided one of the names should be chosen by local children. On Sept. 4, the zoo sent naming ballots to all LPS first- graders and opened up online nominations, as well. First-grade students were chosen because they have been learning about animals – including giraffes – as part of their science curriculum.

The giraffes are not open for public viewing until the spring of 2019. But Iggy and his entire first-grade class at Meadow Lane will receive a special prize: a free field trip in May of 2019, when they will be among the first children to meet Phoebe and the zoo’s two other giraffes. During the trip, students will hear from the zoo’s lead giraffe keeper and head veterinarian. They also will have an opportunity to feed the giraffes.

Phoebe arrived Sept. 4 as part of a major expansion to the Lincoln Children’s Zoo that will open in 2019. She was soon joined by two other giraffes in her new home: Allie, a 14-month old female and Joey, a 21-month old male. The three live in one of the largest giraffe conservation habitats in the country.

BACKGROUND: Phoebe/Phebe Elliott

• 1886:  Miss P. L. Elliott is listed in the census as living in Lincoln. Her name was listed as Phebe.

• 1887: First female member of the Lincoln Board of Education – re-elected in 1891.

Newspapers reported that:

• Elliott has “borne the brunt of pioneering the way for women on the board.”
• “The thought of women being placed on boards of education is growing one.”

• 1888: A vote was cast to have the school – then located at 26th and O streets – carry her name: Elliott Elementary School.

• 1924: Elliott passed away.

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