LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Atherton High School officially has a new mascot: The Ravens. Last fall, the school said it would retire its rebel mascot. Principal Stephanie Fluhr said the new mascot ensures the school's imagery is "inclusive and meaningful to our current and future students."

Fluhr said the mascot committee presented a final report and a recommendation to the Atherton SBDM, which then approved the Ravens in a unanimous vote.

Fluhr said the new mascot gives Atherton an opportunity to fulfill the school's motto: "What you do makes a difference."

The mascot committee and SBDM conducted polls and focus groups over the past year "to ensure that all voices in the school community were heard," Fluhr said. She added the mascot "represents a new era for the symbolism of Atherton."

Last year, Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) announced plans to conduct racial equity reviews on mascots and school names. Other schools in the district are in the process of making changes, including Seneca High School, which removed imagery of its former mascot, a Native American figure, from around the school. 

Thomas Jefferson Middle School and The J. Graham Brown School have also had “discussions” about changing their names, JCPS spokesperson Renee Murphy said. 

“Schools are still going through the process and making sure the images seen in the school are reflective of what we want to convey — if they're culturally appropriate and culturally responsible,” Murphy said. 

Atherton will hold a student design for the new Ravens mascot and more information will be available to students after they return from fall break. Fluhr said the school would soon announce the availability of new Ravens spirit wear.