Some weeks ago, a comment I made here in the online version of the St. Johns Sun was copied and printed in the paper version. In light of this past week’s cover story I thought I might rework some of my more recent thoughts regarding the Creekside mascot, add some more, retool my wording a bit, and resubmit here on the blog page in the hopes that, once again, my opinions might make it onto paper in the St. Johns Sun. Perhaps, if the editor chooses to publish my words there, a larger audience might be reached who may have an interest in the topic. Following for submission:
Editor,
I am curious about how the name “Knights” was selected as the official mascot for the new Creekside High School. At least the selection of the school’s name, “Creekside”, had the appearance of including some public input. The public was alerted by the St. Johns Sun that a name was to be selected, when it was going to be selected, and by whom. We were given some time and opportunity to register our opinions in this matter with both the St. Johns Sun, and with the School Board. But what about the mascot name? Why was this decision made without the same solicitation of input from the public?
In an article by Mark Pettus (My St. Johns Sun – 12/06/2007) we learn that the name “Knights” was selected by the “Principal's Advisory Council” in what was described as their second meeting, on November 27 of last year. Was the public invited to this meeting? Was the public invited to the first meeting? The article goes on to say that “No matter what name the school eventually ends up with, its mascot will be a knight, …” and that “[t]he School Board does not have a say in the decision on the school's mascot or colors, so the Nov. 27 decision is final.” I don't know the composition of the “Principal's Advisory Council”, and there is nothing in the article that reveals any community input in its decision-making. How were the members of this Council selected, and by whom? What is clear from the article is that the School Board (a body directly accountable to the public) was NOT permitted any involvement in the decision of the new school's mascot. I am a bit shocked that an important decision that affects ALL of us, and influences how WE project ourselves to the world, has been taken out of the hands of the public and left up to a seemingly autocratic “Principal's Advisory Council”.
In addition to the apparent lack of public contribution, I have several objections to the name “Knights”. First of all, “Knights” have nothing to do with our area or our history. As far as I know, there have never been any knights in Northern Florida, or anywhere in the U.S. – that is – except for the Knights of the KKK. Many of those zoned to attend Creekside High already live in a place called a “plantation”. Might it not be wise to avoid a possible future misconstrual of our intentions in naming our schools?
There is another set of negative connotations that come along with “Knights” – that which involves crusaders, invaders and holy warriors. The various logo designs that have been submitted could call to mind the image of a crusader setting off to take the Holy Land back from the Muslim infidels. In this day and age, might it not be wise to consider more carefully the image we project?
Lastly, the mascots for all of the other high schools in St. Johns county are: Bears, Falcons, Yellow Jackets, Panthers, Bucks and Sharks. In light of the obvious zoological trend that has already been established in our county, in addition to the possible problems listed above with the name “Knights”, perhaps we should reassess the mascot name for Creekside High and possibly consider an animal name. I can think of numerous good, locally-relevant, possibilities such as: Armadillos, Manatees, Otters, Fire Ants, Eagles, Moccasins, Rattlers, Dolphins, just to name a few.
I admire Principal Abbatinozzi for hitting the ground running. And I realize he is anxious to begin selling t-shirts and coffee mugs as soon as possible. However, this decision is critical to how we as a community broadcast ourselves to the larger world. Perhaps it’s too late. Perhaps the oligarchy has spoken and the rest of us should just shut up. But then again, perhaps, before we start printing stationery and stenciling football helmets, we might be wise to reconsider this decision? And this time, let’s allow for some public input.
