Review Process Begins For New Farmington High School Nickname

FARMINGTON, CT — Suggested names for a new Farmington High School mascot are on tap for review this month.

The conversion process dates back to December, when the Farmington Board of Education unanimously voted to remove the Indians nickname — along with an accompanying Native American mascot — from the local high school's marquee, signage and other logo uses.

"The decision was made after a comprehensive process was conducted by the Farmington High School Ad Hoc Committee," school system officials said at the time.

The FHS Ad Hoc Committee began the "community engagement process" when the current school year began in September. It met over the course of several months to mull over presentations from historians and experts related to the use of Native American mascots.

"The purpose of the FHS Ad Hoc process was to engage in a community discussion, with the assistance of experts in the field, on the subjects of race, culture and the use of Native American school mascots, symbols and names," education officials said.

They continued, "Now that the former FHS mascot has been retired, the Ad Hoc Committee is eager to embark on a new goal to facilitate a process to select a new mascot and logo for Farmington High School. This is an exciting time to come together as we select a new mascot to represent our school and community."

The deadline for new nickname ideas was Feb. 28 and the submissions were to be reviewed by the FHS Ad Hoc Committee with "consideration for articulated criteria" starting Tuesday.

Officials said the Committee will pare the mascot suggestions down to finalists. A series of voting rounds will follow, narrowing the field and eventually leading to the selection of a new mascot.

A similar process will then take place with the design of a logo to complement the mascot.

"We understand that symbols and mascots, and the way in which they are celebrated, bring us together as a community, emanating pride and inclusivity," officials said. "There is incredible power in symbols that bring us together as one school, one community, one us. We invite all stakeholders to take part in identifying the symbol that promotes the strong sense of pride and community that makes Farmington such a special place."

See more about the process here.