Saugatuck School District has announced its new mascot: the Trailblazers. The change comes after months of discussion and replaces the school's former name "Indians," which saw criticism for being harmful and derogatory.
The school's Board of Education announced the change during a meeting on Monday evening. The moment comes after a seven-month process, which included community and student surveys as well as more than 90 unique name nominations.
"I think as we know better, we can do better, and really a trailblazer to me means the ability for a student to find their own path, their own educational path, their own life path and help others,” Superintendent, Dr. Tim Travis said.
In its recommendation to the board, the Mascot Development Committee said, “Trailblazers offers much more depth than the other finalists, and encompasses the entire community, including students who find their identity in varying aspirations, alumni who have created their own life path , small business owners, artists, and anyone else that has blazed their own trail.”
The mascot change took effect as of Monday. Travis said imaging of the school's former name has already been taken down. He hopes to have Trailblazers signage and messaging up by the fall. The district will keep its school colors, royal bue and orange.
