Representing U: debate over pioneer mascot
December 2, 2015
The most debated issue at the U right now revolves around one of the school’s most traditional images: the pioneer mascot.
It started when senior David Phipps proposed a U-Crew t-shirt design to Bob Fitzgerald, faculty adviser for the U-Crew. The proposed design features the face of a male pioneer under the slogan, “Still Blazin’ the Trail.”
“I sent it [the proposed design] off to administration for approval, but received word back that it was not approved because we are no longer using the pioneer image,” Fitzgerald said.
The administrator who rejected the design was athletic director Wendy Smith, stating the design doesn’t adequately represent the diversity of U-High’s athletes.
“My biggest concern is when you start using gender or ethnic specific symbols,” Smith said. “I want to make sure that we’re representing our school as a whole and that we’re portraying U-High in the best light.”
Senior Duncan Terry, upset over the administration’s decision, decided to take matters into his own hands. Terry designed his own t-shirts featuring a pioneer and made them available for purchase for students.
“Many teachers and parents want shirts and students overall liked it,” Terry said. “The concern was less over the logo on the shirt, but rather the color of the shirt.”
Rumors about the future for the mascot have been flying around the school, the most popular one being that the pioneer will be eliminated by the school board-an organization that does not exist at U-High.
“I heard that some people on the school board wanted to change it,” freshman Lilly Culp said. “I don’t have a problem with it. My old school was the ‘Turks’ and anything is better than that.”
Members of student senate have taken over the discussion for the pioneer’s future, but for now, no decisions have been made. Fitzgerald and Smith want to encourage students to resist gossiping about the future of the pioneer. Rather, they ask that students with questions and concerns see administration for clarification.
The U-Crew shirt was redesigned, still featuring the slogan “Still Blazin’ the Trail.” The pioneer has been removed and replaced by the “U.” Despite frustration and poor communication, the amount of pioneer pride for past and present students alike is unwavering.
“I like being a pioneer,” Fitzgerald said. “It doesn’t matter to me what image reflects that, it’s not gonna change the fact that green and gold run through my blood and that I’m passionate about being a pioneer.”
Martha Ulbrich Vacco • Dec 28, 2015 at 9:13 pm
The idea of changing the U High mascot because it is too gender specific is absolutely ridiculous. I don’t know of any student or alumni who feels this way. The Pioneer has represented the whole student body both male and female for many many years. I hope that the majority rules in this situation and the mascot remains as is.
Karen Wroan • Dec 26, 2015 at 1:54 pm
I am so shocked there is a push to change our Pioneer mascot and logo. I think it is a ridiculous premise that it is gender specific. There are both male and female Pioneers and the fact we picked one gender to represent us is not offensive in any way. It is a proud tradition and as a female Pioneer I do not need a mascot to be generic for me to relate to it. I vote No on any change and where there already has been a change I vote for it to be restored!!!
Karen Mercier Crusius • Dec 26, 2015 at 1:39 pm
Leave the mascot alone. I honestly can’t see a reason to change it. I’ve been around awhile and have NEVER heard of anyone being offended by the mascot. If the minority rules, it will be more than sad.
Kevin Walsh • Dec 16, 2015 at 7:37 pm
leave it alone, there doesnt seem to be any reason to change it, beyond being politically correct. if anything is done just because its the politically correct thing to do. then its being done for the wrong reason
Alex • Dec 5, 2015 at 1:43 pm
The fact that this has became an issue is disgusting to me, NO students EVER expressed that they were hurt or offended by the school’s mascot. Ms. Smith did not attend this school and has no right to take away the STUDENTS mascot.
Sydney • Dec 5, 2015 at 1:16 pm
I’m proud to say that I’m a Pioneer. It’s something that holds us together and if that is taken away it will be a shame. Too many people are proud to be a ‘neer. Not once have I ever heard a STUDENT complain about “not feeling represented” by the Pioneer. We ought to hold tightly to a mascot thats so legendary and important, opposed to being offended.
Marcia Hubbard Isch • Dec 4, 2015 at 8:11 am
When you have a tradition as old as the Pioneer you should value it and leave it alone.
My father graduated from U High in 1937 and I did in 1959. And, my brother in 1965.
Keep the tradition – we are the Pioineers!!!!!!
Bonnie Ego Gleason • Dec 3, 2015 at 10:27 pm
There needs to be another choice in this vote stuff (and until there is I will not vote). Please add ‘We like our long-time mascot and want to keep it.’
Jody Poultney • Dec 3, 2015 at 3:10 pm
Why not a male and female since they are the Pioneers?
Jon Bradley • Dec 3, 2015 at 7:52 am
Perhaps you could focus students attention on community action, social justice, and the range of social-political issues confronting our city, state and country, as opposed to something this trivial.
No wonder so many people now think high school is an intellectual wasteland and so many colleges have to offer remedial courses for high school graduates.
Why not have little boy and little girl pioneer holding hands. Wait a minute you better have a gay , lesbian and transgender pioneer. And do not have them dressed in buckskin, that would oppress cows, buffalo or deer.
Pretty sad when you make this a public issue. Get it together. jcb
Nick Honzel • Dec 17, 2015 at 6:28 pm
As a U-High Student and member of Student Senate, my issue with your comment is your dismissive nature of student-led discussion on their school’s mascot. I’m confused to see how students discussing with each other and members of the administration on how to best represent the school is any justification for high school being called an “intellectual wasteland,” whether by you or by other parties whom you conveniently decided not to name. No time in-school is being deliberately taken away from students to discuss this situation, and I can promise to you almost every student is more concerned about their end-of-the-semester-scores right now rather than the “trivial” matter of representing our student body. The discussions we have had in Senate have been incredibly enriching of my knowledge on socio-economic issues, and have encouraged me to think about the larger-scale issues that affect this. Whether you agree with it or not, representation of minorities and the ongoing debate about political correctness are popular issues both in the social and political arenas. Also, I am confused to see how our discussions over the mascot is a “public” issue. You are on a school-run website, on a school-run newspaper, reading an article written by a student. As far as I know, there haven’t been any protests or public events even regarding this specific issue. You can have whatever opinion you’d like on what the mascot should be, or who it shouldn’t be, or whether a “gay, lesbian and transgender” pioneer is a good choice, but the fact is, dismissing an in-school issue concerning widely dismissed topics in the political world as “trivial,” is, in my opinion, a very short-sided view of the matter.
Kate Pole • Jan 30, 2016 at 9:33 am
As a teacher at U-High, I could not be more proud and supportive of your response, Nick. It embodies the thoughtful and intellectual spirit we teachers hope to foster in all U-High students. Perhaps you should be the mascot.