Ypsilanti school colors to be black and Vegas gold; mascot selection delayed for student vote
Previous coverage:
Ypsilanti Community Schools will don uniforms in black and Vegas gold next school year, however the mascot that will embody those colors will be chosen by a student vote.
The joint Ypsilanti and Willow Run school board voted Thursday night on the school colors after receiving a recommendation from the new district's Naming and Mascot Advisory Committee. The Board of Education also decided to have students in grades 7-12 select the mascot by popular vote from: Trailblazers, Flyers and Grizzlies.
If you're thinking, "Grizzlies?" You're not alone. It wasn't even in the running a couple of weeks ago.
Willow Run's current mascot is the Flyers, and this is one of its logos.
From WRCS
He said the same day the district launched its community-wide survey, the Ann Arbor Neutral Zone facilitated the first of several events involving high schools students from both Ypsilanti and Willow Run. The purpose of the events is community building and coming together to create a new school identity and culture.
At the first joint meeting on March 23, the students discussed the new district's mascot choices, and the top vote getter from this group of about 50 students was the Grizzlies.
"Well, obviously that wasn't on the survey and I'm not even sure how they came up with it," Menzel said with a chuckle.
But Menzel said selecting a mascot that the students can support and that gives students a sense of pride is of the utmost importance to district officials, and one of the five guiding pillars throughout the creation of YCS has been student voice and empowerment.
On the survey the district sent out were seven mascot choices: Bombers, Flyers, Liberators, Mustangs, Ravens, Royals and Trailblazers.
Menzel said overall, Bombers was the most popular choice, but the name didn't resonate well with students. He also said school officials had some concerns because, while the name represents the history of the community as the nickname of the B-24 planes built in Willow Run, it also has a negative connotation.
After Bombers on the survey, the general community favored Flyers next. But again, Menzel said this name was low on students' lists.
On the survey, the No. 1 choice among students was Royals. However, the Royals was selected last by community members and second-to-last by alumni from both districts.
Menzel said because of the conflicting survey results and the district's desire to have student input, school officials went back to the group of about 50 students from Ypsilanti and Willow Run and presented the survey results to them. Officials had another robust discussion with the kids and re-polled them. Royals still was No. 1, followed by Grizzlies and Trailblazers.
The Board of Education decided Thursday night that a vote from students in grades 7-12 at both districts would be the final decision. On a yet-to-be-decided date next week, both districts will host a vote in which students will chose among Grizzlies, students' top pick; Flyers, the community's second choice; and Trailblazers, which was in the top-three among all groups surveyed.
Menzel said Royals and Bombers were thrown out because of a lack buy-in from one or more key groups.
The student ballots will be totaled and the name with the most votes will be brought back to the Board of Education for approval on April 25.
Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.
Comments
A2Football
Wed, Apr 24, 2013 : 11:18 p.m.
Doesn't Huron High school wear black and vegas gold to?
Jim Pryce
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 11:49 a.m.
I don't like any of the choices listed. Can't remember seeing any Grizzlies in the area lately, although who knows Dexter has Black Bears roaming around. The only thing Black & Gold I see are the finches at my bird feeder. I feel bad for my daughter, who I thought was going to be an Ypsi High alum like her Dad. The way teachers are leaving for other districts, maybe a mascot should be a plate of food & called the leftovers.
Julia Herbst
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 5:07 p.m.
Flyers would make alot of people happy, including me an alumni of Willow Run. Ypsi got most of the name, we should have the mascot. They split our colors and Im happy with that. But if they do not choose flyers, the whole history of our community will be forgotten in the combination of that school. I voted for the Liberators originally.
2kids1dog
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 7:09 a.m.
WR's colors are red and white!!!! Since 1955 when the HS was built. Not sure when the combination of red and black came to be, but it is inaccurate!
dae
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 3:39 a.m.
Phoenix would've been an appropriate choice since this is a district rising out of the ashes of two other districts much like the mythical beast... Black and Gold and Grizzlies... sounds like OU to me! Too bad they didn't go with the most popular college nickname just like the school right up the road... That's right, how about Ypsi Eagles?
Bulldog5
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 1:53 p.m.
Trailblazers, while a little awkward, does the same thing as Phoenix, but gives a new name to a new venture. Otherwise Flyers is the coolest.
Grimey
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 9:21 p.m.
Braves.
SuperiorMother
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 7:22 p.m.
It seems to me that since they are keeping Ypsilanti in the district name, they ought to keep Flyers as the mascot (since it got a good percentage of the vote). Then students from both former districts are recognized/represented right off the bat.
Basic Bob
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 9:06 p.m.
That makes too much sense, therefore I'm not giving it much of a chance.
Ben Freed
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 7:05 p.m.
Student voting is the same process that made me a River Rat! For the record, I couldn't be prouder and I think it's one of the more unique mascots in the country. I hope the students who get the opportunity to vote on their new mascot will keep in mind that they will be setting the tone for the school and that their decision will affect any number of generations down the road.
LizMurdo
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 7:50 p.m.
Do you seriously believe that is possible, Ben? I mean today's 12-17 year olds actually considering anything past tomorrow? They have no clue of anything. I think it is a very bad idea to put this in the hands of the current students. It really should be a decision made by the educators and alumni, with input from the current classes.. After all, in 1-5 years, it won't matter to most of them what their school mascot was. I cannot believe the pansies that wussed out on the "Bombers." Seriously? That is our HISTORY.
Ben Petiprin
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 6:35 p.m.
If the picture on the last page was accurate, those jerseys are real ugly. Black should be the main color and gold should just be highlights.
Steven Taylor
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 5:45 p.m.
I would hope they'd try to be a little more original with my old school district, how about showing some historic pride, and go with "Bombers" or the "Liberators" ?
Ann English
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 11:56 p.m.
The Ypsilanti brothers helped LIBERATE Greece from the Turks, at the start of the 1800s.
Bulldog5
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 1:50 p.m.
You just bombed the test.
UpperDecker
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 5:41 p.m.
Ypsilanti Towers. Their mascot can be the water tower with legs.
MGoYpsi
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 4:46 p.m.
Funny how every news story on annarbor.com about the new mascot only shows a photo of the Flyers logo. Maybe they know something. Still, after reading this story ,I don't understand how we got to Grizzlies as an option. I believe, like everything else in this consolidation, that under the veil of "community input" these decisions have been pre-determined. My hunch is that the Vegas Gold and Black Ypsilanti Community School Flyers or Grizzlies uniforms were ordered months ago.
Kyle Mattson
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 4:58 p.m.
HI MGo, we're just reporting on the process the district is going through and waiting for the final decision to be made by the district. The previous stories have a mix of both school's logos, and this one happens to include just the Flyers one as it was/is the current logo of Willow Run and one of the final three up for voting.
dading dont delete me bro
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 4:44 p.m.
btw, anyone doing a co$t roll up on all these name changes, paint scheme color changes, new uniforms, multiple superintendents, mothballing buildings...? anyone?
jmcmurray
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 6:10 p.m.
That is what the $6.5 million grant is for...
you can't handle the truth
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 4:42 p.m.
Hurons
Usual Suspect
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 4:26 p.m.
"Vote getter?"
dading dont delete me bro
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 4:18 p.m.
as for the mascot, i vote for NONE of the above. flyers would slight any yhs, or my opinion would favor the willow run part. vegas gold? what is vegas gold?
Skyline booster
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 4:05 a.m.
dadling and Kyle, Vegas gold is more metallic and richer than old gold. Old gold is the color Purdue and Wake Forest use. Vegas gold is used by the Pittsburg Penguins.
Julia Herbst
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 5:06 p.m.
Flyers would make alot of people happy, including me an alumni of Willow Run. Ypsi got most of the name, we should have the mascot. They split our colors and Im happy with that. But if they do not choose flyers, the whole history of our community will be forgotten in the combination of that school. I voted for the Liberators originally.
Brad
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 5:04 p.m.
It's the color of bling.
Kyle Mattson
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 4:43 p.m.
Hi dading- See my comment above it is approximately the same color scheme of Oakland, Wake Forest, and Purdue Universities.
dotdash
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 4:08 p.m.
Too bad they are dropping Phoenix -- at least that has a story that might be appropriate. Ditto Flyers because of the Willow Run factories, but Grizzlies and Trailblazers seem to lack relevance. This is their chance to rebrand, but the old brands were better. Is anyone with any branding experience involved in this? If I were them, I'd back up and get some professional advice; there must be a lot of it free in the communities around here.
Kyle Austin
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 4 p.m.
I'm surprised to see Willow Run's nickname, Flyers, as one of the choice's without Ypsilanti's Phoenix also (although I'm not sure how many folks at Ypsi have a sentimental connection to Phoenix, which is just a couple of years old).
treetowncartel
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 3:48 p.m.
Did anyone consider "Hilltoppers"
John of Saline
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 7:39 p.m.
I see what you did there, Mr./Ms. Cartel.
genetracy
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 6:15 p.m.
Great idea seeing Ypsi is known for its scenic hills.
UpperDecker
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 5:34 p.m.
No...I don't think so
Kyle Mattson
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 3:33 p.m.
For anyone wondering Vegas Gold and Black are the same colors as Oakland University. Interestingly their mascot is also the "Grizzlies": http://www.ougrizzlies.com/
Section Six
Fri, Apr 12, 2013 : 4:48 p.m.
This could come in handy for some hand-me-down gear and equipment, right?