(WWJ) The Redskins are now the Red Wolves.
As Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben's and more brands re-tool their names and images following the sweep of Black Lives Matter protests across the country, the Paw Paw School district has chosen a new mascot. Paw Paw is a largely rural area in southwest Michigan with 3,500 residents, which was named after the pawpaw trees which once grew along the Paw Paw River.
The Redskins mascot was removed earlier this year after Superintendent Rick Reo said it was time to get rid of a nickname that was hurtful to some students. A student task force led the process to pick a new nickname.
There were about 700 suggestions for a new mascot, according to the district.
What does the Red Wolves mascot look like? That remains to be seen. The name will be officially presented by student members of the Nickname Task Force to the Board of Education for adoption at the July 13 meeting, along with recommendations of images developed for Paw Paw Public Schools by a local designer.
The Task Force agreed the chosen nickname and imagery needed to be respectful, inclusive, and non-controversial and it had to bring people together in a unique way.
“We wanted a mascot that represents our community that students can be proud of,” said Paw Paw Middle School student Avery Miller, a member of the Task Force. “It gives us an opportunity to be united and show unity in our community.”
Reo said he is pleased to support the recommendation of the Red Wolves to the board, because it’s a unique nickname for public schools in Michigan with numerous positive qualities for the Paw Paw school district. The superintendent added that Red Wolves are social animals and they run in packs. "They are intelligent and loyal, and when hunting or protecting their territories or each other, they go all out. These are all qualities we want to develop in our students and programs.”
Beyond the academic and recognition programs, student-athletes and leaders are ready to be represented in new ways by the Red Wolves nickname.
“We need a mascot or logo that’s intimidating for the high school and something else that’s appropriate for the younger kids as well,” remarked PPHS Senior Connor Hindenach. “Paw Paw’s football program focuses a lot on strength, so we’d like to make sure the high school version reflects that.”