The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by David Grimes, Quill Correspondent
Biggsville-The West Central School Board has reviewed its mascot decision and is sticking with its first choice - the Heat.
"An organized (selection) process was followed, and while the names considered were separated by no more than 25 votes, we will be the Heat," board president Lonnie Brent said Monday.
Ideas for a new school name and mascot were solicited from students and residents from the Southern and Union school districts shortly after voters in the two districts voted to merge the Henderson County schools last November.
Six mascot recommendations were pared by a committee of students from both districts and forwarded to the new district's board.
After it was announced it would be the Heat, Union eighth-grader Rachel Sams, Gladstone, drafted a petition to determine how many others felt as she did, that the mascot could attract insensitive and offensive remarks directed at West Central students.
Sams presented the petition to the school board in January, along with a request to reconsider the mascot. She suggested either starting over or using the second favorite, Wildcats.
Of more than 300 signatures gathered, 250 were from Union students.
The final count of votes from both Southern and Union school districts asking that the Heat be selected as West Central's mascot was 167.
"As a young lady, I have obvious concerns," Sams told the board. "There will be offensive comments made with respect to dogs in heat."
Brent said board members mulled the issue since the Jan. 26 meeting, but decided to keep the mascot.
Although he said it did not influence the board's decision to stay with Heat, Brent cited instances from Southern, Union and a Silvis, school where the Heat or a reference to heat were implemented in the school's identity without negative repercussions.
A Southern summer league girls basketball team has used the name Heat for several years without problems and a Union volleyball team several years ago began using the word "heat" in a slogan without repercussions.
" "The Heat' will be our name," he said.
The same selection process used for a new school name, mascot and school colors currently is being used to select artwork for the mascot.
Sams said Monday she had not seen any of the artwork under consideration, but she is curious to see what will make the final cut.
She also said the new mascot would not deter her from participating in sports or other extra-curricular activities when she enrolls as a freshman at West Central next school year.
"I'll gracefully take the harassment as best I can," Sams said. "I won't let a silly thing like that keep me from being involved."