As a current member of the WLVS community, I've often felt that our school mascot, "The Dons", fails to truly represent every student in our diverse and vibrant community. There's an overwhelming amount of negative stigma tied to our school's representation, and I firmly believe that it's essential to facilitate a fresh start to combat these damaging misconceptions. In research, it's established that school symbols and mascots play an integral part in shaping the school's image, potentially affecting academic outputs and overall school pride (Eitzen and Sage, 2009).

Updating the symbol to something more inclusive not only overhauls the existing negative perception but could also provide a significant morale boost and serve as the cornerstone of a new era in our school's illustrious history. By acknowledging and giving heed to the diversity of our student body, we can ensure that every student feels seen, heard, and represented. Now is the time for change. Sign our petition today and stand with us as we endeavor to cultivate a more inclusive environment at WLVS.