PAW PAW, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — At a time when the NFL’s Washington Redskins announced that they will be changing their name, the Paw Paw Redskins are doing the same.
During their meeting Monday night the Paw Paw Board of Education unanimously voted to adopt the new Paw Paw Red Wolves name. The decision comes after officials debated over getting rid of the controversial Redskins mascot earlier this year after Superintendent Rick Reo argued that the mascot was a distraction for students, staff, and the local community.
On March 11 the board voted to formally retire its longtime Redskins mascot after years of controversy over its depiction of Native Americans.
The Paw Paw Nickname Task Force, which included 27 student representatives, spent months reviewing over 100 online mascot submissions from the community, students, and other people suggesting new names for the school. Eventually, they narrowed it down to three: Wolves, Phoenix, and Lions.
The Task Force agreed the chosen nickname and imagery needed to be respectful, inclusive, and non-controversial, and it had to bring people together in a unique way.
“We wanted a mascot that represents our community that students can be proud of,” said Paw Paw Middle School student Avery Miller, a member of the Task Force. “It gives us an opportunity to be united and show unity in our community.”
Paw Paw Superintendent Rick Reo said he is pleased to support the Red Wolves name because it’s a unique nickname for public schools in Michigan with numerous positive qualities for the Paw Paw school district.
