Mascot change up for debate in Hancock County
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NEW CUMBERLAND -- Weirton's public elementary school could see a change in the symbol which represents it.
The Hancock County Board of Education, during its meeting Monday, discussed a proposal which, if approved, would change the mascot at Weirton Elementary School. The board took no action, Monday, saying it needs more information.
"This request came from Denise Miller, the principal at Weirton Elementary, and her faculty senate," Superintendent Dan Enich said.
While noting it was his understanding no formal vote from the school's faculty senate was taken, Enich said the request, if approved, would do away with the elementary school's current mascot, the Stars.
"They want to change it to Little Riders," he said.
The proposed mascot would provide further connection between the school and Weir High School, whose mascot is the Red Riders.
Members of the board, though, wondered if the proposal was something they could act on, with member Larry Shaw asking how the original mascot of The Stars had been established.
Enich said it is traced back to Weirton Elementary's opening in 2014, although Melanie Donofe, co-president of the Hancock County Education Association and retired teacher, said it goes back to even before the school opened its doors.
"We were having meetings every week," she said of preparations by teachers of the three former elementary schools in Weirton - Broadview, Liberty and Weirton Heights - prior to their closure and combination into Weirton Elementary. "We voted on it."
The board opted not to take any action Monday, saying they want to hear more from the school's faculty senate, and also learn whether such a decision can be made by the board.
It was noted Hancock County's other two elementary schools also have mascots, with New Manchester called the Bearcats and A.T. Allison known as the Panthers. Those two schools feed into Oak Glen Middle and Oak Glen High School, which are identified by the Golden Bears.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)