(Photo by Ken Robinson/WTAM)
(Willoughby) - The Willoughby-Eastlake City School District is planning a news conference at 3 p.m. this afternoon to formally announce plans to change the South High School mascot, the "Rebel."
The district released the statement below:
In light of the changing perception of the Civil War Rebel Icon, Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools has made a decision to move forward to identify a new figure to represent the South High Rebels.
Superintendent Steve Thompson announced at a news conference Thursday that Willoughby South High School will drop its "rebel" mascot, a man dressed in a gray confederate military outfit, but keep the name.
Thompson says he made the decision to support the school's diverse student body and because of "changing perceptions."
The sports teams will still be called the South High Rebels. Thompson says the school will create a committee to select a new representation of the name.The depiction has represented the school since 1959.
(Photo by Ken Robinson/WTAM)
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