Cullowhee Valley retires controversial mascot
Cullowhee Valley School will no longer be represented by the Rebel mascot, which is personified by an old, white, confederate general.
After two rounds of public comment in opposition to the mascot, and a petition with over 900 signatories, the Jackson County School board decided Tuesday, Jan. 26, to discontinue use of the controversial name and symbol.
Cullowhee Valley School had used the Rebel mascot since 1958, four years after the Brown V. Board of Education supreme court decision that deemed school segregation illegal. In 1994, when the Camp Lab school closed and Cullowhee Valley School opened, there was some discussion within the community about changing the mascot, but ultimately, CVS remained the Rebels.