LANCASTER, NY -- Students in the the Lancaster School District have spoken and they want to be known as the "Legends."
The new name replaced the controversial Redskins that the school and its sports teams have been known by for years.
The middle school and third grade representatives voted on Tuesday. The high school voted on Wednesday.
72 percent of the student body voted. 25 percent of students choosing "Legends" as the new Lancaster nickname. The logo features a knight and a sword. There was applause after the new name was announced.
"A lot of students did vote for the name, so collectively everyone rallied together and accomplished the goal of choosing a new name," said Lauren Budzich, a senior at Lancaster High School.
The previous nickname became controversial when many people of Native American decent said the name and the Redskins logo was offensive. So, a student committee was created to find a new nickname. Students submitted their ideas for a new name and logo. Seven finalists were selected which included the Red Hawks, the Dragons, the Knights and a few other options.
"Legends" was decided on overwhelmingly.
"When I heard that we would be able to submit a logo for designing I was so excited because I knew this was something I wanted to do," said Korissa Gozdziak, an 8th grader from Lancaster Middle School, who created the "Legends" logo, "I just wanted to do something really different and I thought that a knight fit with the name Legends and it was strong and was fierce like a logo should be and like Lancaster is."
"I was actually, at first upset about the name change, but now being heard for what I want the name to be I'm actually okay with it I like it actually," said Anthony Gallo a Lancaster High student.
Gabby Farache, a senior at Lancaster High said: "Everyone did have a fair chance we made it very democratic, we allowed the middle school they had three days because of their short lunch period, here at the high school we did before school and after school both times and elementary schools and William Street we told teachers they had to start at whatever time they felt they had to be done by a certain time."
Electronic ballot boxes were used to count the votes. Students we talked to say they know not everyone will be satisfied but they hope everyone can move on and adjust to the name.
The new name still needs school district approval.
The Board of Education is expected to vote on June 8.
