A former Rutland Senior Secondary student expressed disappointment at the school’s decision to change its sports teams’ name from Voodoos to Thunder. Casey Peake, who played football for the Voodoos, shared his sentiment of being proud to represent the school’s gold and blue colors and felt that the change erased the school’s longstanding history and tradition. The decision to adopt the name Thunder was made after a vote, with 60 percent of the school favoring it. Principal Hugh Alexander mentioned that the new name had a good ring to it and would be embraced by the students and the community.
Chris Werry, a teacher at RSS, explained that the change was necessary after students raised concerns about the racial connotations of the Voodoo name. The term originates from a historical context in the southern U.S. during slavery and was deemed inappropriate for the school’s identity. The Voodoo name had been in place since the 1960s and was associated with an Afro-Caribbean belief system. The school’s mascot, a caricature of a witch doctor, also known as “the pineapple guy,” further prompted the decision to change the name. Grad council president Eli Ebl mentioned feeling that the Voodoo name did not represent the school’s diverse community and expressed pride in the new Thunder name.
While Peake felt disheartened by the name change, teacher Chris Werry emphasized the importance of listening to the students’ concerns and making a change that aligns with the school’s values and inclusivity. The decision to rebrand the sports teams was based on research and a recognition of the historical implications of the Voodoo name. The school’s mascot, associated with an Afro-Caribbean belief system, raised issues of cultural sensitivity and prompted the move towards a more inclusive name. With the new Thunder name in place, students and teachers are looking forward to creating a new logo and mascot that better represents the school’s values.
Despite the change in the team name, RSS will continue to compete in their classic blue and gold color scheme, a tradition that dates back to the 1950s. The school has not yet revealed the new logo or mascot design, but there is excitement among students and teachers to create something that reflects the school’s identity. Grad council president, Eli Ebl, expressed satisfaction with the name change and commended the efforts of the teachers leading the rebranding process. RSS alumni Casey Peake, while nostalgic for the Voodoos name, acknowledged the importance of evolving with the times and embracing a more inclusive and sensitive approach to team names. The school community looks forward to a new chapter with the Thunder name and the symbol it will represent.
