Restore Original Name of Averill Park's Sports Teams to the Averill Park Warriors

The Issue

I am a resident of Averill Park, proud to have grown up here, and even prouder to have moved back to raise my family in this close-knit community. I am part Huron and a proud Averill Park Warrior. It is a badge of honor that finds its roots in our rich Indigenous heritage. Recently, our sports teams have been rebranded to the the “Golden Knights”. This seemingly inconsequential change, however, erases our longstanding connection to our Native identity, something many residents, including myself, are passionately against. The move to replace Native American iconography and traditions out of an inflated sense of political correctness is not only regrettable, but also somewhat misguided. History is a testament to the strength, resilience, and spirit of the Native American people. By changing the name of our sports teams, we are not just losing a name; we're losing a crucial part of our identity. It must be remembered that the name "Averill Park Warriors" often instills pride, responsibility, and strength, reflecting the attributes that our sports teams aim to represent on and off the field. I'm not alone in this sentiment - many residents are equally frustrated by the recent changes. Hence, this petition to reinstate the original name of our sports teams, "Averill Park Warriors," symbolizes more than a crusade for branding consistency. It embodies our struggle to preserve our heritage, respect our past, and continue to foster a powerful bond with our Native roots. Sign this petition to support the preservation of our local identity and to celebrate the spirit of Averill Park once more as the Averill Park Warriors.

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The Issue

I am a resident of Averill Park, proud to have grown up here, and even prouder to have moved back to raise my family in this close-knit community. I am part Huron and a proud Averill Park Warrior. It is a badge of honor that finds its roots in our rich Indigenous heritage. Recently, our sports teams have been rebranded to the the “Golden Knights”. This seemingly inconsequential change, however, erases our longstanding connection to our Native identity, something many residents, including myself, are passionately against. The move to replace Native American iconography and traditions out of an inflated sense of political correctness is not only regrettable, but also somewhat misguided. History is a testament to the strength, resilience, and spirit of the Native American people. By changing the name of our sports teams, we are not just losing a name; we're losing a crucial part of our identity. It must be remembered that the name "Averill Park Warriors" often instills pride, responsibility, and strength, reflecting the attributes that our sports teams aim to represent on and off the field. I'm not alone in this sentiment - many residents are equally frustrated by the recent changes. Hence, this petition to reinstate the original name of our sports teams, "Averill Park Warriors," symbolizes more than a crusade for branding consistency. It embodies our struggle to preserve our heritage, respect our past, and continue to foster a powerful bond with our Native roots. Sign this petition to support the preservation of our local identity and to celebrate the spirit of Averill Park once more as the Averill Park Warriors.

The Decision Makers

Former Averill Park School Board
2 Members
Adam Stewart
Former Averill Park School Board
Meghan McGarry
Former Averill Park School Board
Averill Park Central School District Board of Education
Averill Park Central School District Board of Education
Petition updates