No logic in Artist vote

When a new school is named or an old one renamed, the decision is

made through the school board. One of the reasons is that the name

will last for years to come and it should be decided on by a group

representing all the people who will be a part of the school, present

and future.

However, defying logic, mascot changes can be made by the current

student body, as seen recently with the change at Laguna Beach High

from the Artists to the Breakers. Whether you believe the name change

is indicative of a group of youths not wanting to stand out or an

inevitability whose time has come, it doesn’t make sense that the

current student body should be allowed to make a decision that will

effect students from years past and for years to come.

Some students at Laguna Beach High may not have experienced enough

of the world to see that having such a unique name and community

background is something to be proud of. Maybe they just feel they

have enough creativity in everyday life and don’t need to announce it

to all their rival schools. Whatever the reason, their decision has

had a negative effect on plenty of people who grew up in Laguna.

Many alumni have expressed disappointment that the mascot they

endured and learned to love has been changed without any

consideration for them. At least a few students at the school have

expressed a desire to compromise by changing the mascot for sports

teams, but keeping the rest of the school the Artists.

If enough students are unhappy about the new mascot, there can be

a re-vote, but the decision will still be up to current students,

which does not solve the underlying problem. Considering the effects

of the change on such a broad group, this seems more like a decision

for a school board to make in the interest of the community it

represents.