RUTLAND, Vt. (AP) - Less than four months after Rutland retired a previous mascot, the town approved the Rutland Ravens as the district’s new one.
The school board voted on Tuesday to approve the new mascot after students studied possible alternatives to the town’s previous nickname, the Rutland Raiders, WCAX-TV reported.
Students in grades three through 12 voted last week and selected the Ravens over another possibility, the Royals, the broadcaster reported. A raven will also replace the former arrowhead symbol.
The school board approved the change 4-6 with the two dissenting board members saying the change was hypocritical.
“A raven in my religion means death. I’m a Catholic so for me, a raven is negative,” said Brittany Cavacas.
Students researched 10 potential new mascots and identified different myths and connotations associated with all of them, Principal Greg Schillinger said.
The school board voted to retire the previous mascot and nickname in October.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.