Description
Juanita High School is a high school in Kirkland, Washington, administered by Lake Washington School District. It was opened on September 4, 1971, as a result of a campaign driven by an education theory known as the "Juanita Concept", developed by John Strauss, who became the school's first principal. It was later discovered that this concept did not work, and so the school was later remodeled into a traditional format. In June 2018, half the school was demolished and was rebuilt to house more students in the growing school. The whole school is said to be done by the year 2021.
"After much debate among students, parents, staff and alumni, Lake Washington School District Superintendent Dr. Jon Holmen announced that Kirkland’s Juanita High School will be getting a new mascot."
Excerpts from KIRO Radio News "Kirkland’s Juanita High School is retiring the ‘Rebels’ mascot" - JULY 14, 2020...
"When Juanita High School opened in 1971, the Rebel mascot was chosen to represent rebelliousness, and doing things a new way. But some time in the 1980s, the school’s logo was changed, taking on many features of the Confederate flag. That logo was painted on school walls and printed in the yearbook."
“From my review of the situation, the Juanita High School mascot was put in place with good intentions,” said Superintendent Holmen, speaking at the school board meeting Monday. “I have no reason to believe that the term ‘Rebel,’ in its inception at Juanita High School, was to honor or glorify slavery, or to be a reflection of the Confederacy or the Confederate values. I also know that the term ‘Rebel’ does have direct linkages to the Confederacy.”
"Holmen said many students, parents, and staff complained that they have had to explain the meaning behind the mascot."
"Holmen said a mascot should unite a student body and not be divisive, as the Rebels mascot has been. He said every student should feel safe at school and no one should be offended by a mascot."