Took time to appreciate being an 'Artist'
In response to your article regarding Laguna Beach High School's
mascot ("Artists break with tradition," Coastline Pilot, Sept. 6) I
offer the following thoughts:
First, I must admit that while attending Laguna Beach High School
several fellow classmates and I considered and desired to change the
mascot. Like many others before us, excited with the thought of
change, I approached other students and faculty in an effort to
generate support for the idea of changing the mascot. Upon presenting
the idea to a teacher many students admired, I was enlightened to the
importance and tradition of the Artist. Every student since 1930
knows the conflicts one experiences when comparing mascots with
college classmates, relatives and non-LBHS alumni. But therein lies
the beauty of being an Artist and what had to be explained to me to
truly appreciate the mascot.
When comparing mascots one finds that there are countless
Mustangs, Titans, Bears and other unidentifiable mascots that have no
significance to a school's town or history. The Artist and the school
colors, maroon and white, stand for much more than just a "nickname"
that represents the school's athletic program. In the literal sense
the Artist represents Laguna Beach's past as an artists' colony that
a majority of residents desire to honor and preserve as we move
through this new millennium. However, it also represents the unique,
progressive and creative nature of Laguna's residents and community.
My wife and I feel the students and faculty that have supported
the change have made an uninformed and poor decision in changing the
mascot. Like many alumni have done in the past, we feel we should
stand proud of and defend our mascot. We hope residents and fellow
Artist alumni will join us in expressing their disappointment and
encourage the high school's administration to rethink abandoning the
Artist.
CHARLES AND SARAH WILLIAMS
Laguna Beach High School Class of 1992
'Breakers' is more fitting name
I wanted to provide some positive feedback regarding the decision
to change the mascot.
I am thrilled to see the mascot changed, and in the words of some
of my fellow Laguna Beach High School alumni ... FINALLY!
I am a very sentimental person, but I do feel there was a need to
change the mascot and Breakers was an excellent choice.
As a student that was very involved in sports, both as a soccer
player and as an assistant athletic trainer, I fully support the
