Community Members Gather to Voice Opinions on Southwestern Name Change

After hearing both sides of this matter, this decision is now one that is left to the school system.

File Photo

(Hanover, Ind.) – In mid-June, Southwestern High School started to receive backlash regarding their mascot and nickname.

On Monday, July 13, community members gathered at the school board meeting to let their voices be heard. Representatives from both sides of the name change spectrum spoke on the matter.

The first to speak on the matter of a name change was community member Jane Stormer.

Stromer started out by stating she was speaking on the behalf of a new committee name “Community for Culturally Inclusive Education at Southwestern (CCIE).

“There is currently a national conversation regarding mascots, so the time is right to start this conversation here in Hanover. Our committee believes that the school nickname the Rebels is counterproductive to creating a safe and nurturing school environment for all students,” stated Stromer.

This nationwide call for name changes began with the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis Police Officer which sparked national attention, and protests for the Black Lives Matter movement, many are now protesting to remove racially-biased statues, symbols, and names.

“We are not here to change the history of the school but to focus on the future in a way to be supportive of all students and staff,” said Stromer. “The concern about the name Rebel and the images associated with it will affect our students, employers will use the social media profiles of students, and students school pride can be easily misinterpreted.

Another supporter of the name change 2019 Southwestern grad Robert Stark stated that as he was growing up, he never questioned the rebel name, but as he grew older, he saw it as something different.

Stark said, “Being part of this school I have learned respect for others, and I hope that the school can respect others in this way by changing the name.”

While many are asking for the name change due to “racist ideologies” others believe that the name does not have racism behind it.

Another Southwestern grad Nick Moore stated “we are not here to defend the Confederate imagery of the solider and battle flag, we all know that these are insensitive and can cause discomfort, tension and present a negative optic for the school. We’re only defending the name rebel and the school colors of red, white, and blue.”

Many have stated before that the Rebel name was created to reflect the rebellious spirit of students from Saluda Hanover who chose to create their own school district, Southwestern, rather than combine with the rest of the county schools.

“People on both sides of this debate are being rebels, those who are protesting in the streets and rioting are being rebels,” said community member Deana Andrew. “Why do our school colors have to change, these colors are the colors of our American flag, to say these are offensive is a slap in the face to those who fight for our freedom.”

In June, Southwestern Superintendent Jeff Bates was quoted in an article from WDRB stating that the school name is not tied to racism and that there are many false claims circulating in the community and on social media.

After hearing both sides of this matter, this decision is now one that is left to the school system. The rebranding of the school is not an easy decision to make. 

The next school board meeting is currently scheduled for August 31st. It is currently unknown if a decision will be made by the next meeting.