Description
The Howell High School mascot is the Rebel, a confederate soldier with white hair and a gray uniform. The Rebels name dates to 1964. The mascot was selected due to the school's original name, "Southern Freehold Regional High School," which lasted until the district expanded to three schools in 1968. Southern Freehold Regional High School teams were named the Southern Rebels.
Blue and gray are the school colors, although originally all schools in the district had blue and gold as the school colors at least until the late 1970s. This was originally done so the district could attempt to realize some cost savings on uniforms for extracurriculars.
As of June 2020 petition to change the mascot as inappropriate began circulating.
Excerpt from "Howell High School Rebels: Mascot out, name stays, 'Rebel Yell' will change names" - app.com - June 20, 2020
"While Howell High School's teams will still be called the Rebels, another reference to the soldiers and sailors of the erstwhile Confederate States of America will be struck out.
The a capella group Rebel Yell will change its name, according to a Freehold Regional High School District spokeswoman.
The name is a reference to a battle cry Confederate soldiers shrieked while charging in order to intimidate Union troops. It is unclear whether two other singing groups, Rebelation and Rebel Clef, will undergo a name change."