**The media below contains the opinion of an individual student and therefore does not represent or speak to the values of Vestavia Hills High School and Vestavia Hills City Schools**
Vestavia Hills High School adopted the 1Rebel motto and logo in 2015. The school board chose to progress away from the old, outdated ideas associated with the school’s former mascot. The school aimed to abolish the harmful mascot while amplifying the positive values of the school (the values the mascot had failed to support) with the school’s new branding. Now, VHHS has embraced the 1Rebel spirit for almost a decade. Many students are not eager to return to the past mascot.
Recently, a poll was conducted to see if any students were interested in having any mascot. There were three possible answers: yes, no, and maybe. Then, they were given a space to explain their opinion and suggest a mascot.
Around 43% of students wished the school had a mascot. Here are a few of their justifications:
We need something to bring to games. It will make our spirit go up and will bring the school together. Also imagine the cute merch!
We literally get awards for the most spirited school and a mascot is a way to rally spirit
More school spirit and excitement for student body
It would be so fun to hype up the crowd with
I think that having a mascot may cause some controversy at first, but would be worthwhile in the end if it united the students better.
About 22% of students were opposed to having a mascot. Below are some of their reasons:
Not everything needs a mascot
We have plenty of school spirit without a mascot
Then, the other 35% of students were not committed to either side. A few of their explanations are included below:
I think mascots are fun, but they are not necessary. School spirit will still thrive without having to put some sort of image to it.
Even without having a mascot, our student body still has immense amounts of school pride and is able to rally behind our school's values.
It would be nice to have one, but I don't think it's necessary, especially considering the last mascot we had, and the reputation it gave us.
Students on all three sides gave ideas for the school’s possible mascot. These suggestions ranged from traditional mascots to ones definitely never used before. Select student responses are featured below:
Since we are red and blue, you can basically be anything and just re-color the animal, maybe an eagle? But that seems overly patriotic. Buffalo and tigers are signs of respect so both of those could be good options since Vestavia prides itself on their student body
A patriot because they rebelled?
A knight or bird of some kind
I think a Viking would be a great idea.
1R (like a huge blue 1 and a red R) or a mountain/cliff (rebel edge)
The Vestavia hills daffodils
A lion or bald eagle would be cool. They both symbolize pride and strength, both are loyal and can have rebellious behaviors.
A preppy, pink shirt popped collar guy from an 80s movie? Or Rosie the Riveter?
With complete clarity, a small population of the school participated in this poll. But, the results do show a willingness in the student body to discuss a school mascot, as well as the variety of ideas surrounding the question. Not only does not everyone want a mascot, but those who do have very different ideas for what the ideal mascot would be. But, even without a mascot, Vestavia Hills High School is an excellent school with a lively student body that has earned nominations for national school spirit awards. Go Rebs!
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