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Goshen school board approves new Redhawks mascot

GOSHEN, Ind. (AP) – A northern Indiana school district’s new mascot will become the Redhawks next year when its nearly 90-year-old Redskins moniker retires.

The Goshen school board voted Monday to adopt the Redhawks mascot, effective Jan. 1, after deciding in July to stop using the Redskins nickname out of respect for Native Americans.

Current students and alumni who live in the district were able to vote last week on four finalists: the Gladiators, Redhawks, Spartans and Wolfpack. Goshen High School principal Barry Younghans says the Redhawks won with more than 53 percent of the vote.

Superintendent Diane Woodworth says the district will now work to change uniforms and clothing items to reflect the new mascot.

The Redhawks graphic was created by a 2005 Goshen High School graduate.