Clover Park High School Asks Public To Help Select New Mascot

LAKEWOOD, WA — The Clover Park Warriors are soon to be no more. Clover Park High School has announced a plan to change its mascot — part of an effort to come into compliance with a new state law — and will be asking the public to help pick their new team name.

As The News Tribune first reported, the law in question, House Bill 1356, prohibits the inappropriate use of Native American names, symbols or imagery in public school names, logos, mascots, or team names. The school says it believes the Warriors name is in violation of that law, and it intends to change the name by the end of the 2021-22 school year. But rather than a burden, school leaders say this is a rare opportunity to rebrand, and hopefully better represent local values.

“This change provides us with an important opportunity for our school to create a new mascot that positively reflects our CPHS values, creed and culture," Clover Park High School Principal Tim Stults said in a statement. "We have developed a process to complete this work with the input of our students, staff, families, alumni and community."

The district says it will post an online survey sometime early next month to take input from students, staff, families, alumni and community members. The final name will be selected sometime in mid-December, after which Clover Park High will "immediately" begin using the new mascot name. Imagery, equipment, uniforms, signage and materials will then be replaced sometime later this school year.

"I am incredibly proud of the school culture and community we have built here at Clover Park High School over the years," Stults said. "Staff work hard each day to ensure all students feel welcomed, valued and respected as we prepare them for success in college, career and life after high school. Ultimately, we are in the business of helping students build phenomenal futures and that work will not stop. Our new mascot name and image will provide us with the opportunity to build upon these values and create an environment that we can all be proud of."

Clover Park High isn't the only school making changes to comply with House Bill 1356. Previously, Bethel High School changed its name from the Bethel Braves to the Bethel Bison, the News Tribune reported.