Controversy
When Denver Public Schools named its four cardinal direction high schools (East, West, North and South) each took a mascot and imagery associated with that direction. For example West High School took the cowboy as its mascot.
South High School took imagery from the civil war, specifically from the Confederate States of America. This included taking the Johnny Reb head as its mascot, and using the Confederate Flag to a lesser extent. The imagery was incorporated into the name of the yearbook, The Johnny Reb, (changing it from The Tower Book) and school newspaper, The Confederate.
The images and mascot began to cause controversy in the late 1970s. By 1980, South's first African American principal, Harold Scott, suggested that the mascot be changed to the Penguin. He did not anticipate the attachment the student body had to the name "Rebel" nor the furor that ensued and the suggestion was dropped.
Gradually, due to the growing change in public attitudes the use of the Confederate Flag would fall from use. The school's yearbook and newspaper became known as the Gargoyle. Even the Johnny Reb Head would be seen less and less.
During the 2007-2008 school year the student body began discussing changing the mascot. They eventually decided on a gargoyle with the school's famous clock tower in the background. On February 19, 2009, the students made a presentation to the Denver Public School board asking for the change, which was granted. In a compromise with school alumni, the name "Rebel" was kept.
There is still some controversy over whether the new mascot is a griffin or a gargoyle. Another Denver Public School, Grant Middle School, claimed the griffin a decade or so before, after it was forced to change its mascot from the Blue Devil.
Read more about this topic: South High School (Denver)
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