School District Removes Juanita High School's 'Rebels' Mascot

KIRKLAND, WA — Lake Washington School District Superintendent Dr. Jon Holmen took action to remove Juanita High School's "Rebels" mascot Monday following years of debate among students, parents and alumni.

A student petition created in 2017 argued the rebel logo was a "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," the petition reads. "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."

A vote among the student body failed in 2018, falling several hundred votes short of the support needed to replace the mascot.

Last month, the school board asked Superintendent Holmen to review the mascot's use, with consideration for district policies on student learning environments. According to the district, Holmen discussed the mascot with students, parents and faculty and reviewed decisions made by other organizations.

To allow for the change, the superintendent updated district policy on naming schools and mascots, removing the existing school-based process and granting power to the superintendent to remove or alter names. Holmen also added language requiring that school names and mascots be "in alignment with policy and values."

In a statement shared Monday night, the superintendent acknowledged that some may disagree with his assessment.

“I understand there are stakeholders that do not agree with this decision. I do not disparage them for their disagreement. The connection of school and those experiences help to create memories and meaningful human connections. A common identity, such as a mascot, can help define those memories and connections. A mascot should act as a mechanism that unites a student body and furthers positive connections.

Regardless of your view of this decision, I hope everyone connected with Juanita can come together to take this next step forward. We all have a responsibility to our current and future students to make this next chapter great.”

The change is effective immediately, and the process to select a new mascot to represent the school will soon begin.