Backlash against "St. Johns?"
At the recent committee meeting that decided the mascot, colors and possible names for the new northwest St. Johns County high school (DDD), School Board member Beverly Slough mentioned that she would not be in favor of "St. Johns" as a name choice. The Board will decide the name at its Dec. 11 meeting based on the choices of St. Johns, Northwest, Creekside, or some other name they determine. Slough's reason was that too much in the northwest carries the "St. Johns" moniker. We've heard similar arguments after folks voted to add "St. Johns" to the 32259 postal designation. What's the problem with St. Johns? Tell us what you think -- is St. Johns a loser by default as a school name? Do you agree with Slough about the overuse of the name in the northwest? Oh, and this bears repeating as it seems to cause confusion -- "St. Johns" did NOT replace Fruit Cove, Julington Creek, Switzerland or Jacksonville as a postal designation for 32259. After a public vote and a sign-off by the County Commission, St. Johns was simply ADDED to the top of the list in postal computers. The name Fruit Cove still exists ... clearly in the minds of some northwest residents, it's the only name that exists. Related: KevinClark's blog | login or register to post comments | printer friendly version | Tags: community
Submitted by Gasbag on Tue, 12/11/2007 - 6:58am.
I also dislike the name "St. Johns" for the new high school. I'm NOT an old-time Fruit Cove partisan, but I agree with Slough that there is just too much "St. Johns" going around. I was against the name St. Johns for the community also, because it was already our county's name. My choice among the current alternatives is Creekside because it's not redundant, and the school will actually be sort of close to the creek. My biggest question is - where did they come up with the mascot name "Knights"? And why doesn't anyone seem upset by this? I am. What do "Knights" have to do with this area? Who came up with that, and what were they thinking? Perhaps I'm missing the connection, but shouldn't the mascot be somewhat relevant to the region and its history? Am I alone in this? Instead of conjuring locally-appropriate images of exploring spaniards, famous botanists, Huguenot martyrs and biting insects, when I think of "knights" I imagine suits of armor and jousting and comely damsels and round tables. Perhaps it's not too late. How about, instead: Submitted by ChargerGatorEd on Sun, 11/09/2008 - 9:55pm.
I was searching for a different article and came across your blog. I can tell you that there were student's parents and teachers on the principal advisory council. Other names considered were Eagles and Cougars but in the end the Knights name won via vote. They then had the students vote via the internet on the logo - one thing that WAS decided by the council was the that Knights logo would not have a sword.
Submitted by Gasbag on Mon, 11/10/2008 - 9:04am.
Thank you for that information. 1. How were the members of the Principal's Advisory Council selected, and by whom? 2. Was there ever a time when the public was invited to give input to the Council on the naming of the mascot? 3. Why was the school board not permitted involvement in the selection of the mascot name? 4. And finally (since you mentioned it) -- Why, on Earth, did the Council decide to exclude a sword from the logo? |
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I totally disagree with Beverly Slough. I hope she does not have the final say on the name of the high school. She is an old timer from Fruit Cove. Most of this area is new home owners from St Johns. I do like St Johns High School. We do live in St Johns, FL. I can understand why some may not pick St Johns High School. My second would be Julington Creek High School.
Ponte Vedra High School is located in Ponte Vedra, and that's their name. The location of DDD High School is the new St Johns community of 2209, Long Leaf Pine Pkwy, Veterans Pkwy. Isn't 2209 St Johns Pkwy? I think that's the name. We need a new name, St Johns High School is our name and location. I hope the students vote and decide, it's their school. I would support St Johns High School. Go Knights. Out with the older timer and in with the new St Johns High School. Let the students and principal select the name not the school board members.