Replacement mascots revealed for Oklahoma City high school


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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Students at an Oklahoma City high school are poised to pick a new mascot to replace one deemed offensive by the American Indian community.

Oklahoma City Public Schools spokeswoman Tierney Tinnin revealed two mascot finalists for Capitol Hill High School on Monday night. Students will decide Wednesday if they want to cheer for the Red Wolves, a nearly extinct species, or the Guardians, which would be represented by a mythical created known as a griffin, next year.

The school board voted 8-0 in December to remove the 88-year-old Redskins mascot after hearing from students, teachers and a district official who said it is offensive and harmful.

Since then, the district has been trying to rally support from community members interested in assisting with the transition.

"We wanted to create opportunities to engage the current student body with the Capitol student alumni association," said Tinnin.

The group included students, faculty, alumni, community members and Native Americans.

"All the kids had these big long list from unicorns, to honey badgers, to whatever we could think of, and we talked it all the way through," said Capitol Hill's secretary, Wanda Thompson.

She said she's confident that the school and the district have made the right decision because now everyone can be represented.

The change is expected to cost the district about $200,000. The school plans to auction off memorabilia to help pay for the transition.

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