Union Students React To New Mascot Candidates

After 75 years, Union Public Schools will soon have a new mascot.

The district stopped using the Redskins, since leaders say it caused division. But some students are saying they’re not sure about the change. The search for a new Union Public Schools mascot is down to two: Bison or Redhawks. After the controversy with their previous mascot, district leaders say they want one that represents their core values.

"I think we shouldn't do it. Because we've had that mascot for a really long time,” said Union High School sophomore Deangelo Mares.

Mares says he wants a mascot but doesn't want the one they had to change.

"I think Bison is kind of cool. Redhawks is alright. But it won't be the same as Redskins,” Mares said.

Senior brothers Jonathan Guzman and Aaron Cordova agree.

"I've been in Union my whole life. I've been here since kindergarten, it's been Redskins this whole time and I'm disappointed because it's my last year,” Guzman said.

"Seeing Redskins going away, it's going to be sad. Like new changes,” Cordova said.

This comes after the district got push back about the mascot with some people calling it offensive. Chief Communications Officer Chris Payne says research showed the name has a negative impact on Native American students and all students. 

In November, the board decided to stop using Redskins and since then, they've just been called "Union."

"With our name being Union, we felt like we needed to do things that unify us and not divide us,” Payne said.         

Payne says students wanted a mascot though, so the district asked for nominations and Payne says students sent more than 300 names. He says it came down to Redhawks, representing discipline, power, and strength, and Bison, representing the connection to Oklahoma.

"The attributes they felt like both were a really strong match for Union,” Payne said.

Anyone can share their opinions online for the next three weeks before students get to vote. The district hopes to officially have a new mascot within the next few months.