The current Juanita High School logo. Courtesy of Lake Washington School District

The current Juanita High School logo. Courtesy of Lake Washington School District

Juanita High students push to change ‘Rebels’ mascot

Students say the mascot glorifies the Confederacy while detractors say it honors Revolutionary War.

KIRKLAND — Students at Juanita High School will vote on whether to change their school’s mascot and logo following a petition’s approval by the school district’s board of directors.

The school is represented by the “Rebels” mascot with a logo showing an eagle sitting on a shield in front of crossed swords. Previous iterations of the logo, including the 1990 yearbook, feature a “stars and bars” style background. The design is widely associated with various iterations of the Confederate flag during the American Civil War that has been criticized as a symbol of hate and racism.

The petition was presented to the Lake Washington School District board of directors at its May 21 meeting, during which the board approved the petition. Board members noted that when the current mascot was proposed and approved by the JHS student body in 1971, it was meant to represent the “revolutionary” approach to education at the school, which included short class periods. However, board members unanimously supported the petition moving forward, saying it was the students’ right to change a mascot.

“Meanings drift with time and I don’t think that ‘Rebel’ was as associated with the Civil War at the time as it is now,” said board member Chris Carlson.

In order for a petition to make it to the board it has to garner signatures of support from more than 10 percent of a school’s student body. JHS had 1,443 students enrolled at the beginning of the current school year, placing the 170 gathered signatures well above the needed threshold.

A change.org petition was started in support of the student initiative, which has gained around 700 signatures.

“The Juanita High School (Kirkland, Washington) mascot is the ‘Rebel’ and (its) current logo is slightly modified iteration of the Confederate flag. We feel that there is no place for the memorializing of Confederate white supremacy at Juanita High School. Other schools across the nation have made the decision to change their ‘Rebel’ mascot in light of (its) historical connotations and by signing this, we believe that it is time for Juanita High School to do the same,” the petition reads. “By signing this petition, we call on Lake Washington School District, Juanita High School leadership, and the JHS PTSA to take immediate action to remove the ‘Rebels’ as the Juanita High School’s mascot and begin the process of disrupting white supremacy in the Juanita High School community.”

A counter petition was also started and has gained more than 1,000 signatures. It says that few people who attended JHS want to see the mascot changed and that “there is no white supremacy in the Juanita High surrounding areas.”

According to a document provided by the school district, a black staff member objected to the 1990 yearbook cover, which was subsequently changed. The document also stated that in the mid-1990s JHS hosted Garfield High School for a varsity football game. During that game, Juanita students painted their faces with the “stars and bars” and chanted racist names and slurs. The assistant student body president later apologized for the event.

“Historically, pro-Confederate terms include ‘Rebel Pride,’ ‘Undefeated Rebels,’ and ‘The Rebel Yell.’ These are terms that JHS uses today,” the document reads.

Additionally, a picture included from the 1986 yearbook shows a photo of students holding a Confederate flag with the title “In 1986, Juanita High School is riding a rebel wave.”

Only current students can vote to change or retain a mascot. Following the board of directors’ approval, the petition will now go before the student body, who will vote to either change the mascot or keep it as it is.

Other schools around the country have moved to change mascots associated or perceived to be associated with the American Confederacy, which during the Civil War, fought against the Union to keep black people as slaves.

______

This story was first published in the Kirkland Reporter.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

The 1990 Juanita High School logo featuring the “stars and bars” design in the background. The design is associated with the Confederate flag and was changed in the early 1990s after JHS staff voiced objections to it. Courtesy of Lake Washington School District

The 1990 Juanita High School logo featuring the “stars and bars” design in the background. The design is associated with the Confederate flag and was changed in the early 1990s after JHS staff voiced objections to it. Courtesy of Lake Washington School District

More in Northwest

Officer Richard “Rick” Klein being inducted as a Federal Way officer in Sept. 2018. File photo.
Federal Way settles in harassment case against police officer

Lawsuit alleges that officer sexually harassed a student during basic training academy.

Demographics of crime victims in King County from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Courtesy photo.
King Co. 2024 crime stats show more women victims

County prosecutor supports more funding for crime victims.

Photo courtesy of the Washington State Governor’s Office
John Houston, right, as Gov. Bob Ferguson signs the bill into law.
New state law inspired by Renton family’s fight for land justice

The Houston Eminent Domain Fairness Act is a new state law 60 years in the making.

t
Three Renton residents die in Okanogan County climbing fall

The cause of the accident is presumed to be an anchor failure while rappelling.

t
Ex-Auburn officer convicted of murder is moved to out-of-state prison

Jeffrey Nelson is serving a sentence of 16 years and eight months.

t
Renton preps downtown for hosting World Cup action

Legacy Square will be used for public events and watch parties during the World Cup.

Courtesy Photo, WSP
Man attempting to cross I-5 struck and killed in Federal Way

The driver and his passengers were not injured or charged with any crimes in May 2 incident.

t
Man, 20, fatally shot at Federal Way apartment complex

Officers report that there was an argument between two groups, leading to a May 3 shooting.

t
Officers searching for a Federal Way murder suspect

Looking for a 37-year-old who fled in a gray 2018 Honda Pilot.

Small American flags adorn headstones at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. Photo Courtesy of Tahoma National Cemetery.
Volunteers needed at Tahoma National Cemetery in South King Co.

With Memorial Day over a month away, now is a good time… Continue reading

Courtesy File Photo, WSDOT
6-cent gas tax hike central to new transportation deal in Legislature

The tax would also rise in the future to account for inflation

Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
‘Too many reasons to list’: Protesters flood the Renton Landing | Photos

‘I’m excited that Renton has this many concerned people,’ one protester says