West High School will host community meetings on Monday, Nov. 29 and Monday, Dec. 6, to receive feedback about the school’s mascot. The meetings will be held at West High School from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Earlier this year, West High received a petition (Fifty signatures, 48 students and two faculty/staff) challenging the school’s mascot, the Rebels. The upcoming meetings are being held in accordance with Knox County Schools Administrative Procedure AP-F-140-2, which outlines the process to be followed when a stakeholder files such a challenge.
West High has used the Rebels nickname / mascot since the school opened in 1951, but since then school officials have moved away from the use of Confederate imagery.
In a recent letter to families, West principal Ashley Speas wrote that “We take great pride in our efforts to be supportive, inclusive and culturally responsive. We recognize that the name ‘Rebels’ can have different meanings and connotations, and we welcome this opportunity to listen to our students, parents, staff, alumni, and other valued members of our school community as we consider how to move forward.”
West High Community Meetings
Date: Monday, November 29 and Monday, December 6
Time: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Location: West High School, 3300 Sutherland Ave.
This story from June 2020 in the daily paper discuss the “controversy” and how the school quit using the Confederate flag in the 1971-1972 school year.
screenshot from the June 25, 2020 edition of the daily paper
