By Marianne Lincoln

BETHEL SCHOOL DISTRICT — On June 8, 2021, the Bethel School Board unanimously voted to appoint a Bethel High School Mascot Committee. The purpose of the committee was to follow a new State of Washington law that passed the State House 90-8 and the Senate 40-9 and was signed by the Governor on April 26, 2021. The RCW is Chapter 128, the effective date is 7/25/2021. Here is the link to the final bill, state law. Lawmakers at the state legislature claimed that schools that honor American Indians are a “barrier to equality.”

School Board Agendas and Minutes can be viewed at this link.

The appointed committee is as follows from the Board Agenda Jun 8, 2021:

SUBJECT: Bethel High School Mascot Committee
ACTION: APPROVE THE MEMBERS OF BETHEL HIGH SCHOOL MASCOT COMMITTEE AS LISTED.
PRESENTER: Dr. Jennifer Bethman, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools
ORIGINATOR: Dr. Jennifer Bethman, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools

BACKGROUND:  

Pursuant to Bethel School Board Policy 6970 (Naming District Facilities, Colors and Mascots), the following staff, students, and patrons of the Bethel School District are recommended to serve on the Bethel High School Mascot Committee.

Staff: Megumi Ito, Derek Anderson, Sadie Frady, Carolyn Olsen, Kenneth Iverson

Students (grade for 21-22 school year):
Karla Chavez (12)
Rhiannon Davies (12)
James Lathrop (12)
Mackenzie Horak (10)
Dimitrius Fifita (11)
Rebekah Morales (10)
Ramya Nichols (10)
Eiden Quintanilla (11)
Landon White (10)

Community Members:
Jennifer Vasilez
Ed Niehl
Bob Niehl
Kellie Ham

Committee Leads:
Karla Chavez (Student)
Bryan Streleski (BSD athletics/security)
Caleb Knox (BHS staff)

[Editor Note: I have placed a call with the school district to get information on when the committee will meet and whether there will be any public testimony taken. The Communications Director indicated it will be after July. He will respond with more information soon and I will update this article.]