Description
Hanover's colors are blue and gold, and their mascot is the Hawks. Until 2021, HHS's mascot was the Indians, and was changed to the Hawks due to the racial instability in the United States following the killing of George Floyd the previous year.
"It came down to intention versus impact," said Leah Miller, chairperson of the school committee. "Yes, I totally believe when this mascot was named and brought forward, the intention was to honor Native Americans. The difference is what I've learned over these last couple of weeks is the impact of that decision, regardless if the intent was well."
"I know change may not come easily, but we are the leaders and the people who our kids and students look up to," said Shawna Newcomb, a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and a science teacher at Hanover Middle School. "We don’t need to have this mandate to get rid of it. What better lesson to teach our kids than to be proactive and make the change before we’re mandated to do so."
"...after receiving 400 mascot submissions, 85 mascot logo suggestions, and over 2,000 online votes. Hanover High principal Matthew Paquette said the mascot selection committee worked through the 400 mascot suggestions and narrowed the decision down to three finalists — the Hawks, Huskies, and United. An online voting poll for the final three candidates closed with Hawks