HOLLAND, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – The battleground over changing sports monikers has moved to Holland.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Holland Public Schools announced the creation of an advisory committee “of interested and open-minded community members to participate in an ongoing conversation concerning the use of ‘The Dutch’ as the district’s mascot.”
Andrea Mehall, chair of the HPS Equity Alliance, said that her committee found that, “The use of ‘The Dutch’ as a mascot does not invite a sense of belonging or inclusion for many of our students and their families.”
In the statement, district Superintendent Dr. Brian Davis said, “We recognized the sensitive nature of this conversation. Some may be offended by the consideration of dropping the Dutch mascot and wonder why a change is needed. We want to hear these voices.”
Second Ward Councilman Jay Peters, a Holland High graduate, has no qualms in retiring ‘The Dutch.’ “We are changing,” he said during a Thursday appearance on “WHTC Talk of the Town.” “I’ve always been one who has accepted change a little more than others.
“We’re changing in so many different ways. We have to be open to some of these changes to be fair to the evolution of what’s happening in our city.”
Those interested in this discussion are asked to click here for more information and details on participating in this process.
In August, Saugatuck Schools said that it would “retire” the ‘Indians’ moniker for the district, with a new name expected by year’s end.
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