Carmel High School considers changing mascot

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. (KION) The "Padre" has been the mascot of Carmel High School since it was founded 80 years ago, but now the school is considering a change.

Principal Jonathan Lyons says that conflicting views of the mascot's iconography have been brought to their attention, and several petitions have circulated calling for a change. Since then, Lyons says school officials and the Governing Board have heard from students and alumni on both sides of the conversation, and it has decided to form a Mascot Study Group.

The group will include representatives from the student body, staff or faculty and alumni from different time periods, and they will publish a report on the relationship they have with the mascot and how it embodies their beliefs about Carmel High School.

Applications for the group will be made public and reviewed by Lyons, the CHS Activities Director and the Carmel Unified School District Superintendent. The final group will include 15 to 25 members. Half will be students, 20% will be staff, 20% will be alumni and 10% will be outside academic representation, such as a history faculty member from a local college.

Once the group is selected, they will begin reviewing literature about the "Padre" figure to determine whether it reflects the values and mission of the school, supports inclusion of all students and whether it is a unifying mascot the school community can support.

When the group comes to a conclusion, it will share its findings and recommendation with the school district office for review. If the district decides the review is valid, it will be submitted to the Governing Board for approval, denial or a request for clarification.

The group will only recommend whether the mascot should be changed, not alternatives.