WHS Mascot Rediscovered
The disappearance of the WHS mascot is due to the lack of student volunteers.
According to principal Tyler Keener, “We usually have one or two students who sign up to be the General. This year no one has signed up.”
However, Athletic Director, Andy Kellar, has big plans for the future General. “The General costume has been the same since I started working here. It would be really nice to update it a bit.”
Kellar said his plans would involve having a school-wide contest on drawing up a new mascot and the winner would be selected in order to have a new mascot design. Then, he would try to see if any class event would be interested in making the clothing to help with the cost. Kellar said he would have to purchase the head of the mascot because of the complexity of the design.
Two years ago, WHS tried to make changes to the General, but the results proved to be lack luster. Alum Taylor Bennington facilitated a discussion on the changing of our mascot. According to Bennington, the reason for the change was because of the controversy of the General depicting a confederate general.
“Our intent wasn’t to change the mascot to change the mascot. Our intent was to return the image of the mascot to what it was to be originally intended to be: a representation of General David Wooster, whom was a revolutionary war hero, not a confederate,” Bennington said.
Bennington said the reason nothing changed was due to a lack of agreement between the athletic director and the student body on the reason as to why the General should be changed.
WHS student body president, Matthew Chidsey (12), would like to see a reappearance of our mascot.
“He adds spirit to our games and pep rallies,” Chidsey said.
If anyone wishes to be the next General, talk to Kellar in the athletic office.
