|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Sequoia High School has a long and unique history.
Established in 1895, it was the first high school in San Mateo County and the first between San Francisco and San Jose.
It was also the first at something else.
At the time, high schools were known by their namesake. Only colleges had mascot names. In 1925, Sequoia became the first local high school to have a mascot. After a lengthy debate, “Cherokees” was chosen as the official mascot, honoring the great Cherokee Chief Sequoyah.
Other high schools began to follow Sequoia’s lead. Arch rival Palo Alto chose “Vikings” as their mascot in 1929. Eventually, it became the norm. Moreover, it’s virtually inconceivable that a school would not have a mascot.
“Cherokees” became synonymous with Sequoia students and faculty. For 75 years, they proudly saw themselves as “Cherokees.”
A New Age
However, as is the case all too often, nothing lasts forever. Along came the winds of change.
As the 21st century dawned, encouraged by one or two overeager instructors, some Sequoia students began to question the appropriateness of “Cherokees” as the mascot.
In 2001 after the issue was brought to the School Board, a decision was made to eliminate the physical image of “Cherokees.” No longer would anyone be allowed to appear in Cherokee clothing as the mascot of Sequoia.
Questions about the symbol and name festered until April 2019. It was then, the School Board put a final nail in the coffin of “Cherokees,” by officially eliminating all association of the mascot, name and symbol with Sequoia High School.
“Ravens” replaced “Cherokees.”
The School Board turned a deaf ear to those who pleaded to save the Cherokee name at an emotionally charged meeting.
Aside from those who attended the meeting, Sequoia alumni voiced strong support on social media for keeping “Cherokees,” to no avail. The Board acquiesced to the demands of the students.
Viewed as discriminatory and disrespectful, 90+ years of “Cherokees” was officially smitten from association with Sequoia High School.
One teen who supported the change said, “it [Cherokees] just doesn’t feel right.”
Does anyone actually think those who were charged with naming the team “Cherokees” in 1925 had an ounce of disrespect in mind when they decided to honor the great Cherokee Chief? The answer seems obvious…. or so it would seem.
Some locals felt the change came as a result of pressure from the Cherokee Nation. This is incorrect. They never contacted Sequoia or complained about the school mascot, name or symbol. In fact, when asked, many local Cherokee natives were unaware of the change. Moreover, the majority who voiced their opinion felt honored by the mascot’s name.
The move was unilateral.
Someone once said, “if we don’t learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it.”
Many feel the change lacked common sense. Yet, as someone much smarter than yours truly once said, “the problem with common sense is it’s uncommon.”
For countless alumni, the memories will forever remain intact. The Sequoia “Cherokees” may be gone; however, they will never be forgotten.
Everything else is just history
Some of the photos used in this blog are courtesy of the Local History Room, Redwood City’s best-kept secret. The Local History Collection covers all aspects of Redwood City’s development, from the 1850s to the present day, with particular emphases on businesses, public schools, civic organizations, city agencies, and early family histories. The Local History Room is not affiliated with the Redwood City Public Library, but it is inside it.
*************************
Editor’s Note: The views and opinions expressed in all blog posts are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Redwood City Pulse or its staff.
