As schools across Massachusetts rethink controversial mascots, officials in Winchester are doing away with theirs.
Winchester High School sports teams will no longer be known as the Sachems.
"Our current students told us loud and clear that they wanted to see this changed," said Brian Vernaglia, chair of the Winchester School Committee.
The committee voted unanimously to remove the Native American mascot name and imagery Tuesday night after hours of public comment.
"Moving forward, our teams will not have the logo and the name on their jerseys as they go out to compete," Vernaglia said.
More than three dozen Massachusetts high schools still use team names and images with Native American themes.
More on the calls for change
But the state and many school districts have been considering changing that practice.
"We heard from Native Americans themselves who told us that it was not honoring them, and they felt it was dishonoring them,": said Vernaglia. "We heard from students who were of Native American ancestry, and they told us that they did not feel it was honoring them."
"It seems pretty obvious that when somebody says, 'Don't call me that' or 'Don't use my name that way,' that that is a thing that you should listen to," said Winchester resident Ciro Faienza.
"If they feel offended, then it should definitely be addressed," added Deepa Balasunbaram of Winchester.
But some who graduated from or worked in Winchester Schools see it differently.
"Leave well enough alone. It's not hurting anybody, history is history," argued 1967 Winchester High School graduate and former school system employee Paul Miller.
Vernaglia wants to assure residents that the district will continue to honor the achievements of students, past and present.
"The school committee made it crystal clear last night that there would be no changing of trophies, there would be no washing away our history," he said.
The school committee says this is still an ongoing process.
The superintendent will now develop a transition plan, including costs and timelines.
