The Hays Consolidated Independent School District on Monday announced the new name of the Hays High School mascot. Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, the school will officially change to the Hays High School Hawks.
The top five choices that made the final selection ballot included: hawks, raptors, honey badgers, dragons, and hornets. A total of 1,453 students voted. Hawks received the most votes – 461. Raptors came in second place with 376 votes. The remaining votes went to: dragons (267), honey badgers (191), and hornets (157). One student voted, but chose not to answer.
School colors will remain red and blue. Following the selection of a logo and branding package, the school will begin ordering new student uniforms and changing signage around the building.
The fiscal impact of the mascot change on a single budget year has been estimated to be as high as $800,000. The bulk of the expenses involve band and athletic uniforms, which are replaced regularly on staggered schedules to spread out the costs over multiple budget years. Other larger, one-time expenses will include replacing the school’s gym floor logos, equipment vehicles, and the front entrance marquee. The funding will come from the district’s operating budget or fund balance.
The Hays CISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously in July 2020 to retire the Rebel mascot for Hays High School.
