It was a long and thorough process but the search is finally over and the Cuyahoga Heights Schools have a new mascot. The district will henceforth be known as the Red Wolves!
“We’re pleased with the outcome especially as we involved as many interested parties as possible and took into account the proud traditions and spirit of our school district,” commented Superintendent Tom Evans. “I want to thank parents, students, alumni, and community residents for their input in this process and I especially want to thank the committee for its extraordinary work and commitment. They really put their heart and soul into this effort and we couldn’t be more appreciative of their work.”
Work on a search for a new mascot for the schools began with a community survey in October 2021. The survey, which was posted to the school district’s website as well as sent to all subscribers of Superintendent Tom Evans’ weekly “Tom Talks” e-newsletter, invited anyone from the community to offer ideas. That effort produced 61 suggestions.
Using the results of the first survey, a second community survey was conducted in November to reduce the 61 suggestions down to 20 names. Then in January, an all-volunteer committee composed of alumni, students, school staff, and interested residents convened to review the results and narrow the suggestions to four possibilities: Hawks or Wolves, and whether the word “Red” should precede either selection, such as in Red Wolves or Red Hawks.
On Friday, March 18, a video in which committee members Sean Deka (alumnus and parent) and high school senior Taylor Holden reviewed the steps taken in the selection process, was shown in all homerooms. Deka and Holden explained why the committee felt either mascot was a good fit. Taylor remarked that the wolves’ traits of intelligence, adaptability, loyalty, protection, family, and teamwork, reflected the school community. He shared how the Wolves mascot could be promoted. “Student sections could be called the ‘Den’ or the ‘Wolfpack’ . . . and the elementary students can be the ‘Pups’ and grow into the ‘Wolves’.”
From Friday, March 18 through Monday, March 21 every student in the district had the opportunity to vote on the mascot of their choosing and whether to add the word “Red” in front of the name. The final selection was revealed in an all-school assembly held in the Flip Saunders Gymnasium Tuesday, March 22.
The rally opened with a welcome by Cuyahoga Heights High School Principal Mike Janatovich who served as Master of Ceremonies. The Heights Cheerleaders led the students in two cheers – one for each nominated mascot. This was followed by a short video in which students from all grade levels vocalized their preferences and viewed memorable school moments while the Alma Mater played in the background. The video ended with a display of the question: “Which mascot will continue the tradition of success and excellence?”
“Seventy-six percent of those who voted supported the word ‘Red’ so we’re going to keep the ‘Red’ in the name,” remarked Janatovich. Finally it came time to reveal the new mascot. Led by Superintendent Tom Evans, supporters cheered wildly for their choice. Then Evans stepped forward and amid cheers, hoots, and hollers, removed his red jacket to reveal a t-shirt emblazoned with a Red Wolf logo. The cheerleaders then helped make school history by leading the now exuberant crowd in their first ever cheer for the Red Wolves!
“Mrs. Halle McPherson, our art teacher, and some of the art students will start work on what our Red Wolf is going to look like,” said Evans. “We’re going to do some research on some trademarks and we’ll develop that so we can start putting our logo on our uniforms and our shirts as we move forward. I want to thank all of you for participating in this. This was a tremendous effort by the student body. I’m super-excited about the new step forward we will take as the Cuyahoga Heights Red Wolves.”
The Board of Education will formally approve the Red Wolves as the school mascot at its regularly scheduled meeting on March 23.