A crafty old soul picked a century ago,

Who stood proud for a cause from his head to his toe;

A gentleman’s manner, he would forever display,

From the time of his seeding to his ripe age today;

Standing tall with his top hat and distinguished black cane,

Donning a smile always friendly and never one vain;

With his monocle, spats and white gloves he was rare

Like the hard-working Virginians whose heritage he’d share,

He showed vast opportunity and became very dear,

As “peanut born and peanut bred” became the Suffolk High cheer;

Amedeo Obici from Planters, whose jobs changed the game,

With a city so grateful its babies saw light under his name.

So let’s have three cheers for Mr. Peanut, a stately mascot for sure

And a hero to so many seeking the way to endure.

— Thomas J. Kelly, Yorktown