Vestavia Hills Board Of Education Votes To Keep Name, Change Mascot
Vestavia Hills High School has been catching a lot of heat for their name, “the Rebels” and their mascot, a caricature of an elderly Southern plantation owner. Several weeks ago, the public was given a chance to weigh in on the decision to keep the name and mascot or eliminate both. Last night, the Vestavia Hills Board of Education unanimously voted to keep the name, but not the mascot. WBHM’s Les Lovoy reports on why board members made this decision.
The Decision
Last night, approximately 100 citizens attended the Vestavia Hills Board of Education meeting with one thing in mind: the future of their mascot. Sheila Phillips, superintendent of the board, recommended the district keep the “Rebel” name, but scrap the mascot itself.
“Logos change,” she says, “It doesn’t change who you are, it modifies how you are branded.”
Minutes later, the rest of the board agreed, with a unanimous vote to do just that.
Les Lovoy,WBHM
Vestavia Hills Board meeting attendees wait for the decision about the future of the Vestavia Hills Rebel mascot.
The Aftermath
Before leaving the meeting, attendee Steven Craft says he feels the decision is the best option for the high school.
“This is a positive step for inclusiveness, for the community,” he says, “I know there is still concern over the name Rebel, and that’s something we’re going to need to reclaim, especially in the context where we are in the deep south.”
Not all attendees felt the same way, however. Attendee Dean Paul said the mascot was never meant to represent racism or inequality.
“I was part of the student body that chose the Rebel name and the mascot,” he says, “Both of these things were chosen to reflect rebellion. There was no connection to anything shameful about the confederacy or slavery or anything like that.”
Superintendent Phillips noted at the meeting that the process of choosing the new mascot will be comprehensive, and will include all interested parties and stakeholders, particularly the student body of Vestavia Hills High.
Alabama Power seeks to delay rate hike for new gas plant amid outcry
The state’s largest utility has proposed delaying the rate increase from its purchase of a $622 million natural gas plant until 2028.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor
Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor to join our award-winning team covering important regional stories across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.
Construction on Meta’s largest data center brings 600% crash spike, chaos to rural Louisiana
An investigation from the Gulf States Newsroom found that trucks contracted to work at the Meta facility are causing delays and dangerous roads in Holly Ridge.
