Clover Park School District announcement.
LAKEWOOD, Wash. — Clover Park High School is in the process of changing its school mascot to align with recent legislation prohibiting the inappropriate use of Native American names, symbols and imagery in public school names, mascots, logos or team names. In early December, Clover Park High School families and alumni, as well as the community, will have an opportunity to share their input on the top mascot names the school is considering through an online survey.
“This change provides us with an important opportunity for our school to create a new mascot that positively reflects our CPHS values, creed and culture,” Clover Park High School Principal Tim Stults said. “We have developed a process to complete this work with the input of our students, staff, families, alumni and community.”
The school will review input received from students, staff, families, alumni and community before making a final mascot selection in mid-December. While their mascot may change, the school culture and community will not.
“I am incredibly proud of the school culture and community we have built here at Clover Park High School over the years. Staff work hard each day to ensure all students feel welcomed, valued and respected as we prepare them for success in college, career and life after high school,” Stults said. “Ultimately, we are in the business of helping students build phenomenal futures and that work will not stop. Our new mascot name and image will provide us with the opportunity to build upon these values and create an environment that we can all be proud of.”
The school will immediately begin using its new mascot name while it replaces imagery, equipment, uniforms, signage and materials this school year.
I hope CP keeps in mind that there are Warriors in most, if not all, cultures. Changing the imagery does not mean the mascot name needs to change. A “Warrior” according to Google is a “brave or experienced soldier or fighter” and the example given after the definition references warriors of ancient Greece. To me it would make sense that CP would want to keep the name Warriors as the students will need to soldier on and fight for a good education, fight for victories on the field, and fight for their own successful futures.
Keep in mind, the Golden State Warriors have the mascot imagery on their uniforms of the Golden Gate Bridge. I am sure the Clover Park Warriors could meet the State law and keep the name to preserve the long rich culture of the school that bears the name of the District and was founded almost 50 years before the City.
Lastly, keep in mind why CP was founded, to meet the rapid expansion of Ft. Lewis. A military post which is, and has been, home to American Warriors. Warriors who should be honored for their service to our great country.
We’ll said, Warrior on!
Well said! Once a warrior always a warrior!
Amen and well said!
I couldn’t have said it better. Thank you for your reasonable and vitriol-free comments.
Maybe we can have an OCP-clad teddy bear-looking mascot.
Or a Chinoo- maybe not one of those. An Apache helicopt- probably not that either.
OCP-clad Precious Moments teddy bear.
This will be another controversial issue the Clover Park School Board will take on. Once again, they will also pay lip service to “seeking community input’. I fully understand the State Mandate regarding depictions of Native Americans. However, “Warrior” is not exclusive to Native Americans.
noun
1. a person engaged or experienced in warfare; soldier.
2. a person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness, as in politics or athletics.
A student survey went out offering 8 choices… none being Warrior. Offerings were: Grizzlies, Mustangs, Orcas, River Hawks, Timberwolves, Wildcats, Wolves and War Hawks. A suggestion line was included in the survey, HOWEVER, you could not put in a suggestion without voting for one of the eight. This is simple manipulation of a survey!
Retaining the name “Warrior”, with a rebranding and association of a new mascot symbol, would be sufficient to meet the state guidelines. “Warrior” is not exclusively Native American. Just a brief search of the internet brings ups dozens of schools that retain the word “Warrior” with images of spartan, knight, soldier, patriot, minuteman and viking like characters as their symbol. Imagine, a community that is built around a major military installation honoring the soldier
I contacted Kevin Ikeda who is chair of the mascot committee. Here is his reply:
“I wanted to share with you why the “warrior” name was not continued. The review of our district mascots was following HB 1356.
The bill essentially stated that it prohibited the inappropriate use of Native American names, symbols or images of public-school mascots, logos, or team names. It also stated if we wanted to keep a mascot name that we would need permission for our local tribe.
It was determined that the Clover Park HS Warrior mascot and name was in violation of the bill and did not receive support from the tribe. We understand that the warrior name is not exclusive to one area. However, we could not disassociate the Native American connection.
Our goal now is to engage the community in the new mascot for Clover Park High School. This marks a new chapter in the district and school history. The naming of a mascot is determined by the school community and I look forward to their decision. Our goal is to update the board on December 13th. “
This is going to be another example of the District already having made a decision before input is requested. Unfortunately, I, along with a growing number of community members and alumni, find that philosophy flawed.
It is said that a Native American tribe found fault in the term “Warrior”. Where do we draw the line? When is PETA going to go after any depiction of an animal? When is someone going to say the “Lancer” depicts violence. Or Viking is representative of rape, pillage and plunder? Where and who gets to draw the line?
I firmly believe that the District is underestimating the attachment of “Warrior” within the community. These community members are voters! As a tax payer, I feel I have the right to offer input. I for one graduated from CPHS and my son is currently a student within the district. He has played baseball for CPHS when they have been able to field a team (that is another tragic story). I have spent countless hours campaigning for levies. Along with several other district decisions, that support is waning.
Please reconsider retaining the “Warrior” with a new symbol.
So a meaningless politically correct name change will waste thousands on “…… imagery, equipment, uniforms, signage and materials this school year.” This change will do nothing for CPHS academic achievement. Stults just happens to preside as principal over CPHS which is in the bottom 18% of State schools academically. He’s been there for 8 years with nothing but a downward trend academically despite a truck load of “programs” which don’t appear to be effective: mere “Bandaids” for what are systemic issues of which Stults is one. Now this; a name change like that’s going to solve his problem. But he’s right out in front as a cheerleader for cancel culture with mascot name changes as though that is going to improve anything. Typical……….rearranging the deck chairs as the ship of education sinks beneath the sea of mediocrity.
We must have elected a cluelessly racists legislature. White Vikings (Puyallup High School) are okay, but the honoring of American Indians is not. As mentioned, “warriors” is an inclusive term used by cultures around the world before North America was even discovered by Europeans. More confusing to me is Bethel High School replacing their formally noble depictions honoring American Indians (The Braves) with a methane belching bovine (Bison). If I was an American Indian I would be insulted.
Woke white people have to stop being more offended than those that would otherwise be offended. Nothing but cancel culture and virtue signalling to make themselves feel better about themselves at the expense of others. By the way: have you looked at the mascot image? It’s one of a Plains Indian, not of any local tribe! Apparently these woke individuals don’t even know the tribal history of this region.
I agree with the first commentors: “Warrior” does not necessarily mean American Indians, it stands for brave, fighting, strong team members united together. Whomever decided to make this change sure rolled over like a baby to give in without an argument on this issue. They changed HUDTLOFF ALL THOSE years ago from “Indians” to “HURRICANES ” and now the Mascot is a comic depiction of a gray swirl with a smiley face on it. How ridiculous. That does not instill an image of strong, fighting power. It looks like Casper the friendly ghosts’ uncle. In keeping with that poorly made decision, CPHS will probably be changed to the “Cosmos” or “Comets”. How truly sad and embarrassing for the City of Lakewood. We can change the school district president to George Jetson. Stand up for what the Mascot really stands for, don’t roll over without consideration. This will shame and embarrass us all.
If one wants to have schools recognize the students they educate and the community they come from, consider this – Lakewood is unique because we are protected by the ‘best of the best’ – our JBLM ‘WARRIORS’ are on duty 24 -7 and come in all sizes. ethnicity groups and cultures – ‘WARRIORS’ are the protectors of everyone and our community is protected by the best of the best!
Leaving the word ‘Warriors’ clearly says what Clover Park School District is about – ‘WARRIORS’ for education and students and faculty of value and strength
Go Banana Slugs!!!
Won’t! Woot!
Amen! A co-worker (who graduated from CP) and I ( a Lakes grad) were talking about the name change and we both agree with you that only the logo needs to be changed, not the name. Lakewood is pretty much a military community where we honor our “warriors” who signed their names on the dotted line to defend our freedoms. A new logo should reflect that.
One of my best friends represented C.P. as the Warrior during his school year. It was an honor to be elected to this special position. In later years, “D”.. said he was nervous but did everything in his power to represent our school and to reflect a proud WARRIOR.
Why does this name need to change? It reminds me of when the few thought that “just green & white” was too drab, so they added yellow. It still looks terrible.
Why do we insist on changing things? When “THE CLOVER PARK WARRIORS” motto was adopted, it was to honor the heritage of showing pride in one’s self. We should be proud of this name and recognize this motto as a testament to great people.
Looks to me like the top candidate got left off the ballot. I agree with all the comments so far .
We have never referred to ourselves as the Clover Park “Indian” Warriors. If we’re not on the ballot how can that be a fair election? I am an “Ancient Warrior” who meets every other Tuesday for breakfast at Meadow Park Golf Course. Put “Warriors” on your ballot. That’s the right thing to do.
PC BS!!!!
On Monday November 29, 2021 I was saddened to read that our CP Warrior has fallen victim to being cancelled. In the same Suburban Times there was an amazing article on how the Nisqually Tribe is using the recent request for a name change to Fort Steilacoom Park as a time and way to educate and inform the visitors that come to Fort Steilacoom Park of their rich history here in Lakewood. I was confused by the fact that Clover Park School District chose to eliminate our CP Warrior versus educating us and standing up for something that they believed in and would represent fairly with intent. My confusion led me to learn more on the legislation regarding this name change.
Here are some points in the the bill brought forward by state Legislature Representative Debra Lekanoff that I found of interest. “The ban does not apply to schools on tribal lands or to schools adjacent to Native American areas as long as the nearest tribe is consulted and authorizes the use of the name.” There is also a fiscal note attached to the bill which notes that…costs to school districts would vary based on the number of items that would need to be replaced including sports and club uniforms, flags, banners and other materials. It goes on to state that the proposed law creates a grant program to help support schools that incur costs related to the proposed change.
This information caused me to ask the question – did the Clover Park School District approach the Nisqually Tribe to discuss the use of the CP Warrior and what did the tribal leadership find offensive and was there any middle ground that could be found. I understand that the Warrior imagery in the incorrect headdress and clothing is not representative of the Nisqually Tribe or any NW tribe and may be objectionable . I am not certain that the tribal leadership would find the word “warrior” offensive considering Chief Leshi’s story as one of their most notable warriors. It would be of interest to read the letter that was sent to the Tribal leadership and to read their response to understand what the Nisqually tribe finds objectionable with the CP Warrior since the imagery does not have the impact on the students, staff and community that eliminating the word “warrior” does.
After reading the article on Monday and talking to others about this, friends have said that the decision is final, that the district is moving forward despite anything that students, staff or community says or does and the administration will not even consider keeping the name “warrior”.
But, wait I guess there is a silver lining in this situation of eliminating a piece of Clover Park’s rich history – while the story of how the CP Warrior sustained and invigorated Clover Park High School during the great and not so great years – the sports teams and clubs finally have a financial opportunity in the form of a grant to purchase much needed uniforms and other materials which they have so desperately needed at Clover Park High School for many years and have not been provided the funding.
I am only sorry that our two CP warriors who played many sports while at CP, who believes in the “Warrior Spirit” and graduated from Clover Park High School as proud warriors are reading and hearing that as a warrior that they are inappropriate.
Respectfully submitted by:
Barb Dalton