Scarborough gets new mascot School board unanimously approves Red Storm to replace Redskins

SCARBOROUGH – Scarborough High School athletic teams, formerly known as the Redskins, are now the Red Storm.

The school board Thursday night unanimously approved the new mascot, which got the most votes in a student referendum.

Nearly five months ago, Scarborough dropped the Redskins name that had been used at the high school since the 1930s. The name had come under criticism as being offensive to American Indians.

Some students complained they didn’t like Red Storm or any of the other four names on the list of possibilities. But the school board said the debate over the name has gone on long enough and that it was time to put the issue to rest.

Red Storm got 431 votes. Red Hawks got 322, Storm 247, Seahawks 214 and Mariners 105.

“Not that it’s the greatest name that ever hit the town of Scarborough,” said board member Robert Mitchell, “but it’s a name we can still rally around.”

Another board member, Jaquelyn Perry, interjected.

“It’s going to be the greatest name, however,” she said, “starting tonight.”

Several students, one armed with a long petition, spoke at the meeting and asked the board to start the process again.

Ashley Drew collected about 300 names of classmates who wanted more time to choose a better name.

“The names do not reflect Scarborough or its history in any way,” she said.

But not all the students want to continue the search.

“No matter what we choose as a mascot, the school is going to come together and support it,” said Betsy Savage.

Many people were glad just to have a name. Students and adults selected Titans in November. The board rejected it because the name comes from characters in Greek mythology who killed their young.

Students now will begin the process of choosing a Red Storm uniform logo and a costume design for a mascot. Those also will be subject to approval by the school board.