RCSers now purple ’n’ black Wolves

By Anahi Rodriguez | Manor Ink

Town of Rockland, NY – Show your school colors! Livingston Manor Wildcats and Roscoe Blue Devils will become the Rockland Wolves rocking purple and black.

At their meeting on June 10, the Rockland School Board voted on Rockland Central School’s new mascot and colors. In the weeks before the vote, a branding committee was formed. They were charged with developing a fair and transparent process for selecting new school colors and a mascot. Using the feedback from the ThoughtExchange, an online platform where people can post ideas and rate them, the group narrowed down the choices to maroon and blue or purple and black, and bobcats or wolves. Earlier in the day, on June 10, students had their own vote, the results of which were used to guide the board in their decision.

Some parents and alumni worry they “weren’t involved enough” and believe they should have been included in the vote. Lori Froehlich, a parent in the district, spoke out in favor of adopting the colors maroon and blue. She and many others felt it would honor the history of both schools and be much more cost effective.

Branding Work Group member Melissa Hess explained why only students participated in the voting. “It’s a huge part of the students’ identity, so we thought they should be the ones to vote.”

Several students also voiced their opinions. “I want a new identity,” said Brooke Coman, a sophomore. “Maroon and blue will create a conflict because every jersey will never have the exact same amount of each color. Having purple and black is completely new and different.”

“This is an exciting time for our community,” Superintendent John Evans said, ”especially our students.” He hoped he and the staff can move forward smoothly with the transition of the school colors and mascot.

What do you, our readers, think about all this? Do purple and black take away from each school’s history and legacy? Or are these new colors and mascot a way to show that the Wildcats and the Devils are ready for change? Change is hard, but with everyone working together with a wolf pack mentality, emphasizing teamwork, loyalty and an effort towards a common goal, we will have the best pack around. Let us know what you think by emailing divadnnad@yahoo.com.