It’s not every day that a team decides to revamp their mascot, but that’s exactly what happened at one high school in San Bernardino County.
Students at A.B. Miller High School, which is a part of the Fontana Unified School District, piled into the gymnasium on Friday “abuzz with anticipation” as school administrators unveiled their new “Rebel” mascot, according to a school district release.
The FUSD Board of Education unanimously voted in favor of keeping the “Rebel” likeness last week after consideration of a rebranded mascot began in 2020, according to the Fontana Herald News.
The school had already discontinued the use of the Rebel image, instead using a large letter “M” while it solicited input from the community and developed a rebranding committee composed of students, alumni, staff, administrators and parents.
But the wait is now over as staff passed out T-shirts during Friday’s pep rallies and students were given the opportunity to take photos with the new “Rebel.”
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A.B. Miller High School students Alicia Odette, left, and Bin Mon celebrate with the school’s new “Rebel” mascot, which was revealed during a pair of on-campus rallies on Feb. 16. A.B. Miller’s consideration of a rebranded “Rebel” mascot began in June 2020. (Fontana Unified School District) -
A.B. Miller High School students celebrate the school’s new “Rebel” mascot, which was revealed during a pair of on-campus rallies on Feb. 16. Staff passed out t-shirts featuring the new mascot during the rallies to students, who posed for photos with the new mascot before heading back to class. (Fontana Unified School District)
“The new mascot signals the rebirth of Rebel pride,” said A.B. Miller High School Principal Dr. Barbara Kelley. “During the process of reviewing what defined our school, it became loud and clear that the students of A.B. Miller consider themselves Rebels for change.”
According to a release from the school district, the new mascot was carefully designed to reflect the school’s “rebellious spirit” and embody “the spirit of resilience and determination” that students have exemplified since the school’s opening in 1991.
“This is a historic day for the A.B. Miller High School community and the start of a new chapter for the Rebels,” Superintendent Miki R. Inbody said. “The school’s new Rebel mascot provides a renewed sense of identity and unity on campus and represents the collective voice and spirit of our students, who pushed for positive change.”
