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John Michael Simpson
Vestavia Hills Vs. Tuscaloosa County.jpg
102414 Vestavia Hills vs Tuscaloosa CountyVestavia Hills Rebels fell to Tuscaloosa County Friday night with a score of 7-14.Photo by John Michael Simpson
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The Board of Education has called a work session for Wednesday, July 8 to discuss the VHHS Rebel mascot.
The work session will be held at 6 p.m. in the Community Education rooms on the top floor of the Board of Education. Public comment will be taken during the meeting.
Vestavia Hills Superintendent Sheila Phillips recently released a statement addressing the recent concern over the mascot.
"We recognize that our high school's mascot is a point of contention for some members of our community," said Phillips. "As with all items of concern, we are sensitive to those issues that are important to our community and stakeholders. "
Several residents are showing support of the mascot leading up to the meeting. 1985 VHHS graduate Roger Harris is selling "Support our Rebels" yard signs for $10. His daughter is entering ninth grade at VHHS this August and he is in support of keeping the mascot.
"I want her to experience the same things I did," Harris said.
Harris said he has received a large amount of Facebook messages about the yard signs. He is inviting residents to him this Friday to pick up the signs in his driveway. He also plans to deliver the signs to local businesses. In addition to Harris, another resident is selling Rebel bows for people to attach to their mailboxes and one group is selling t-shirts that read "Once A Rebel, Always a Rebel."
"People care. This is getting bigger and bigger," Harris. "This is a community with great school spirit with a lot of people willing to display their support."
Others in the community feel the Rebel mascot does not have a place in Vestavia Hills. One group has created a website, vestaviamascotforall.com, calling for a mascot change.
“We are a community of excellence and our mascot should reflect that,” said one local resident Susan Crow. “Getting rid of ‘Rebels’ and the dated and emotionally loaded imagery is a way for us to embrace our future rather than our past. It’s a way to acknowledge that celebrating diversity is a valuable part of education.”
