After GHS 'Indian' Moniker Removed, Students Choose New Mascot

GUILFORD, CT — Though some in the community remain opposed to the change of mascot at Guilford High School, students have moved on and are voting on a new mascot for the school.

After the district did away with the culturally insensitive "Indian" moniker with overwhelming support following the recommendation by schools superintendent Dr. Paul Freeman last summer, there were many suggestions offered to GHS Mascot Committee.

Now, after voting among the 14 finalists, students from grades five through 12 from Baldwin and Adams middle schools and the high school have selected their top five choices, presented her alphabetically:

Eagles

Gryphons

Grizzlies

Hawks

Seahawks

A run-off election will be held Dec. 7 when this same group of students will vote for their favorite.

In a message from Freeman, he said that students are encouraged to talk about the final choices with their families and friends.

Freeman was named the Connecticut superintendent of the year largely based on his "equity and social justice work"which included his strong recommendation to stop the use of a Native American mascot and for "working to help teachers to be more culturally responsive in their instruction."

In June, after advisory opinions from the town's Human Rights Commission, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, and myriad Indian mascot experts, Freeman made a recommendation to the Guilford Board of Education: "Immediately discontinue the use of Indian as Guilford mascot."

Which name is your favorite? Tell us in the comment section!