Loudoun County High School’s logo and mascot (The Raider) originated from Mosby’s Raiders (aka The 43rd Battalion, Virginia Cavalry). Mosby’s Raiders was a cavalry in the Confederate army during the Civil War. 

     When the school first opened as a desegregated school (it had been a segregated school for whites before that) in 1969, the original school logo was a Raider riding a horse, holding a Confederate Battleflag. The logo was changed in 1980, removing the flag.

     The history of our school mascot is offensive to some of the population of our school. It may seem that our mascot only effects a small group of our student body, but I believe if our mascot makes any group uncomfortable, or feel unsafe, it should be changed. While I understand this is part of the history of our country and our state,  many current students do not believe our school logo should honor the Confederate army and by extension the painful history of slavery in Loudoun County.

     As a student at County, I was unaware of the history of our school mascot, and as soon as I found out it made me wish for a change. I hope this petition raises awareness and students who were unaware, as I was, can learn and take a stand.

     I am looking for a change in the mascot of Loudoun County High School. If we don’t change the mascot, we are honoring slavery and oppression against people of color. I’d like to go to a school where everyone feels safe, loved, and equal.