Mascot and color change possible

Top Oconee school leadership sees no appetite on the part of the county trustees to change their vote to close the county’s smallest high school.  However, the trustees’ chairman and the county superintendent say changing Walhalla High’s mascot and colors are in play and they are relying on student input before making the changes.  Chairman Andy Inabinet and Superintendent Dr. Michael Thorsland last night responded to five Tamassee-Salem supporters who spoke during the school board’s public comment session.  The Tamassee-Salem supporters pleaded with the trustees to reverse their October vote.  But, short of that, they asked for the board to change the school’s name and the mascot and colors to reflect the infusion of Tamassee-Salem students into the new Walhalla High for the start of the 2016-17 year.  They are suggesting that Tamassee-Salem’s gold color be meshed with Walhalla’s purple and that the mascot be renamed the Mighty Bears.  A handout to the trustees last night suggests four names for the school:  Heritage High School, Crestview High School, Clear Ridge High School, and Ridgecrest High School.