Weir High School will keep Red Rider mascot, name

WEIRTON -- Weir High School announced Tuesday it plans to keep the Red Rider mascot and name.

The school Thursday began removing what officials have labeled a secondary Red Rider logo that depicts Native American stereotypes from its facilities and the sports programs. School officials said they will develop a more traditionalized version of the mascot that will not offend anyone while keeping the school's tradition alive.

"I want to clarify what appears to be a misunderstanding of the school's prior statement related to Weir High School's school mascot," Principal Kristin Bissett said in a statement.

"As I stated last week, Weir High School has been removing images of a certain cartoonish design depicting Native American stereotypes. Efforts to remove this cartoon-like image from official school groups will continue.

"However, Weir High School is not changing its long-standing school mascot of the Red Rider. Instead, the school will work over time toward returning to its traditional mascot images (such as the stately Native American and the image found on the school's campus sign) and working toward a consistent, non-stereotyped mascot among all school-related groups."

Area residents who favor keeping the logo held a rally Monday in front of the Millsop Community Center to express their concerns about the decision. Others who agreed with the decision to remove the logo also attended the rally.