By Cindy Kranz
The Cincinnati Enquirer

ANDERSON TWP. - Forest Hills School Board member Winnie Clayton thinks a diversity study committee overstepped its bounds when it eliminated the Anderson High School Redskins' costumed mascot earlier this year.

Board member Eric Okerson has no problem with the way events unfolded and doesn't think the board should get involved.

Those differing opinions have set the stage for tonight's school board meeting, which is bound to be spirited as the debate over the appropriateness of the high school's team nickname, logo and mascot is rekindled.

For four years, the issue of Anderson High School's team nickname lay dormant - at least publicly. In 1999, the school board voted unanimously to keep the Redskins name.

But a high school student's quest to become the team mascot has once again propelled the issue into the spotlight. Stacey Stahl, a 16-year-old senior and an Inca Indian, will ask the school board to reinstate the mascot role, eliminated earlier this year.

A 21-member committee, including Anderson High Principal Mike Hall, had quietly met since the beginning of last school year to study this question: "Does the Anderson community feel that the Anderson High School's use of the 'Redskin' as a logo/mascot is disrespectful and/or offensive to Native Americans?"

The committee voted 13-8 not to change the logo/mascot and presented its majority and minority reports to the board last March.

Part of the controversy involves the interpretation of the committee's majority report, and whether anyone had the authority to take action on its suggestions.

Hall acted on the committee's suggestions, eliminating the mascot, who dances at football games, and making plans to remove the peace pipe from the logo.

Hall, who is retiring Aug. 29 after 18 years as principal, said he believed he was doing what the committee wanted.

Clayton, however, questions whether the diversity committee had authority to make any changes to the Redskin logo and mascot - including eliminating the mascot.

"I would vote to reinstate the mascot under the circumstances that the mascot would be acting in a respectful and dignified manner, and would not be wearing a mask and a headdress, and would not be ridiculing Indian dances or showing disrespect in any way for the Native American dances or customs," she said.

Meanwhile, Okerson said he's not terribly troubled with Hall's action to eliminate the mascot.

"I understand from Mr. Hall's communication that he felt this was following a recommendation of that committee, and so he acted accordingly what I think he felt was in the best interests of Anderson High School. Obviously, others may put a different interpretation on it."

'I wore it with pride'

Board member Harry Andreadis just wants to hear from all sides before making up his mind. Whether the mascot is offensive is a matter of interpretation: "It's intended to try to get the people involved in rooting for their team, backing their team and being proud of their teams," he said.

Team spirit was always the goal, said Anthony Wurster, a 2003 graduate who was the mascot for five years. It meant so much to him that a poster of him in the costume hangs in his family's living room.

"In the five years I was the mascot, I never in any way, shape or form, put down and or made fun of the Native American culture. I always tried to learn as much as I could about the culture," said 19-year-old Wurster, who is enlisting in the Army.

Stahl said she approached Hall and athletic director Mike Morgan about the mascot job last September. She said they promised her the role. Hall maintains no promises were made.

As an Inca Indian, whose parents were born in Ecuador, Stahl said she deserves a chance to be the mascot.

Others disagree.

"The young lady is obviously very misguided," said Vernon Bellecourt, president of the National Coalition on Racism in Sports and the Media.

"She is doing us a double disservice. ... They ought to get rid of the racist name, the racist symbols and the racist mascot," Bellecourt said. "She should not perpetuate the fraud."

Board members frustrated

Forest Hills, a district of 7,500 students, prides itself on its "Excellent" academic rating from the state. The amount of time the district has spent on the mascot issue frustrates board members.

"I sure hope the board doesn't get bogged down in this particular issue when there are really important things in the education of kids that we need to tend to," Okerson said.

One of those important things, he said: dwindling state funding. The district is projected to lose $8 million over five years.

If you go

What: Forest Hills Board of Education meeting.

When: 7 p.m. today.

Where: Board office, 7550 Forest Road.

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Reporter Brenna Kelly contributed. E-mail ckranz@enquirer.com