We, the alumni and students of Grinnell College, believe that the time has come to change our school mascot from The Pioneers to the Grinnell College Water Bears. Also known as Moss Piglets or Tardigrades, Water Bears live everywhere and can handle extremes environments, ranging from the depths of the ocean to the furthest reaches of outer space. The Pioneers as a mascot invokes colonialist ideals, and as it seems to already be in the beginning stages of obsolescence (as observed through a lack of presence on both the sport and general school site, with its only prominent appearance being the name of the school store), now is the perfect time to move on from this insensitive part of our past.  Shouldn't we as a school be proud to rally around a mascot, as opposed to hiding a dated figure? In a time when school spirit is needed more than ever, a new mascot to cheer on would be a welcome sign of forward momentum, and what better to emphasize our enduring, resilient (and frankly, very nerdy) nature than a Water Bear?