Talawanda forms group to evaluate controversial mascot

Talawanda Schools will form a committee to study the district’s mascot after calls by local residents and a national organization to change the Braves logo.

FIRST REPORT: Native American group wants Talawanda’s mascot changed

The Butler County school district is forming a branding committee to look into the mascot question, Superintendent Ed Theroux recently told school board members.

Several speakers in the public participation portion of the Aug. 20 school board meeting renewed their call to have the school’s mascot and logo changed.

Theroux said invitations have been extended to people to serve on the committee, and once responses are received they will establish meeting dates and a timetable.

In Talawanda Schools, the Native American logo appears in district communications, such as the athletic department's Twitter account, and on a tower holding the high school's victory bell at the football stadium.

“The Braves logo and mascot is exclusively used by the athletics program while the red ‘T’ image is already used by academic groups and other functions,” Holli Morrish, director of communications and public relations for the school district, previously told the Journal-News.

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