Vol. LXX, No. II Douglas Southall Freeman High School November 2020 Freeman Parts with “Rebels” Nickname Joseph Harrell Editor-in-Chief This year has been a time of seismic change in social justice and race relations both on a nation- al scale and within the Freeman community. Over the summer, Freeman began a community-wide discussion regarding the school’s controversial nickname: the “Reb- els.” After numerous polls, sur- veys, focus groups, and personal conversations, the school elected to part ways with the “Rebels” nickname. I’m glad we’re doing it now, sooner rather“ than later.” - Ola Akinsanya An integral part of the PHOTO: PICASSA discussion process was a poll that The new mascot options are the Mavericks, Pioneers, Trailblazers, and United. drew responses from students, Students such as senior Ola Mr. Marshall hopes that the name the athletic culture. inclusivity, and challenging the community members, and faculty. Akinsanya were pleased to hear change “is a step… to making sure When asked how the status quo.” Principal John Marshall said the news of the nickname change. we are as inclusive and culturally- changing of the “Rebels” name af- Students detailed what their that there were “sixteen hundred Ola said, “I feel like it’s been long- responsive as we can be.” core values of Freeman are. responses to the “Rebel” survey awaited; I’m glad we’re doing it Within the rebranding process, his process Grayson described “strength, grit, [and] another thousand on a now, sooner rather than later.” there have been obstacles in T determination,” and Ola listed [second survey].” According to Ola was an organizer and speaker transitioning to the new name. For can be difficult at “inclusivity and moving forward.” Mr. Marshall, “We had to distill at a demonstration for the national example, the school must alter any times … but a real “I wantPHOTO: students HENRICO to be SCHOOLS involved all the opinions and attitudes into Black Lives Matter movement that visuals or signage that includes positive change in any ways that are possible,” said a single consensus.” Using results occurred on campus on June 12. the name “Rebels.” Additionally, “ Mr. Marshall. “We really mean it. from the surveys, the school The demonstration protested not after existing for over 60 years, the comes out of this So, be involved, make your mark, decided to remove the “Rebel” only police brutality but also the former nickname is a part of many moment. we want to hear from you.” moniker. “Rebel” nickname. aspects of the school, especially On Oct. 14, Mr. Marshall - Ashley Sommardahl announced the final four nickname options: Mavericks, Pioneers, fected athletics, sophomore base- Trailblazers, and United. Students Who’s Got Freeman’s Votes? ball player Grayson Archibeque and community members can said, “I don’t think it’s going to currently express their favorite The Commentator Polled Instagram to Find Out! affect [sports] at all. I feel like we options through ranked-choice won’t let [the name change] stand voting. The official nickname will in the way of a good performance be announced the week of Nov. 9. on the field, the courts, or the track.” To accomplish the large task We can dem- of rebranding the school, and onstrate our tradi- minimize setbacks, Freeman has enlisted the VCU Brandcenter. tional values of ex- Ashley Sommardahl, Director cellence,“ intensity, of the Brandcenter at VCU, and pride.” explained, “this process can be difficult at times … but a real - John Marshall positive change comes out of this moment. We [at the VCU Brand- According to Mr. Marshall, center] want to create something students have the ultimate say that is forward thinking and evokes in the effect of the name change. a sense of unity.” Mr. Marshall said that if students As the school selects a new “want to rally around [the new nickname, students have the nickname], it’s going to go great. If opportunity to make their voices they want to rally against it, that›s heard. Mr. Marshall said, “In this how it›s going to go.” Ultimately, new nickname we can demonstrate however, “now is a time to come our traditional values of excel- together and rally around our core lence, intensity, and pride, as well values.” as new values such as diversity, Remembering Campbell Doty memories of him from before I put in everything he had.” Anastasia Branch knew him… and how he changed Tuckahoe Middle history teacher Editor-in-Chief their lives in so many small ways.” and soccer coach Thomas Gregory Sophomore Sophie Armstrong, attested to this when he said that The Freeman community mourns Campbell’s neighbor, remembered Campbell›s “work ethic made him the loss of rising sophomore how the two used to trick-or-treat special as he always wanted to be Campbell Doty, who passed away together on Halloween and sled at the top. He constantly strived to on Friday, July 17. at Dogwood Park in the winter. be the best that he could be.” Campbell’s “presence as a According to Sophie, “Campbell Campbell “was very intelligent guiding, positive force amongst loved to play soccer, play video and enjoyed having fun on the his peers will be greatly missed,” games, and read.” soccer field as well as in class,” said English teacher Meredith Campbell’s teammate and friend, said Coach Gregory. Throughout Swain. sophomore Kieran Berry has Campbell’s years in soccer, Coach “Campbell had an infectious memories of them together last Gregory said that “his teammates smile and a profound ability to year in gym class. He said, “Al- were alway supportive of him [be- make people smile and laugh,” most every day, Campbell and I cause of] his personality, smile and said Mrs. Swain. “He was the kind would walk around and talk about the joy he brought to the game.” of person who could turn around “Freeman will miss Campbell your day with a simple smile or a reeman will immensely,” said Kieran. “We’ll ‘hello.’” F miss his skill on the field and the According to Mrs. Swain, “he miss Campbell im- great teammate he was, we’ll miss was a hard worker and an incred- mensely.” his smile and the conversations we ibly talented public speaker” who had, and most of all we’ll miss the “ - Kieran Berry great friend that we grew up with.” “blew everyone away” when he gave a persuasive speech on an With this in mind, “we also know ancient god last year. “I imagine I how Campbell would want us to would have eventually convinced pro soccer and our soccer teams.” keep our heads up and keep smil- him to join the Forensics team or As a defender on the soccer field, ing,” said Mrs. Swain. Drama to use his speaking tal- Campbell “was getting better and On Sunday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m., ents,” said Mrs. Swain. better and kept on moving up lev- there will be a celebration of In August, Mrs. Swain hosted els on his club team,” said Kieran. Campbell’s life at Striker Park for a memorial Zoom meeting for After playing soccer together from family and friends to attend. students who wanted a space to as early as Tuckahoe Elementary PHOTO: STRAWBRIDGE STUDIOS remember Campbell. She said, School, Kieran said that “Camp- “it was wonderful hearing their bell was [a] hard working kid who A celebration of Campbell’s life will take place on Sunday, Nov. 8. Visit Follow dsfcommentator.org @DSF_Commentator to check out the for news and latest online articles! updates! 2 News HCPS Expands New Teachers at Freeman P P In-School Learning H H D P O R O N H E “huge impact on what T A T H O L O K O C choices [came] to the : B TO OO : K E GEORGE : FACEB ARA BLE table on Oct. 22.” Students returning George Bland Cara Ferras Kara Bleecher to in-person class will Where did you go to college? Where did you go to college? Where did you go to college? be entering a different “Randolph Macon” “James Madison University” “Tulane University” education experience Do you have any pets? Do you have any pets? Do you have any pets? than they left in March. “I have two dogs” “I am hoping to get a dog “ I have one cat” Nurse Estrada said that soon” What is your favorite ice What is your favorite ice “It is vital that every- cream flavor? What is your favorite ice cream flavor? one remembers his or “Cake Batter from Gelati cream flavor? “I love all types of gelato” her mask every single Celesti” “Chocolate” day!” Healthcare pro- viders like Nurse Estra- da have been working to prepare Freeman for students in the second P P marking period. H I P H L S T H O O L The clinic will not T E T T O L O O T A O A N O H only serve its usual pur- : D R : T FI : LT AVID MO IMO HY EM A pose as a place for stu- T ILY W dents to receive medi- David Morales Timothy Finotti Emily Walthall cal treatment and take Where did you go to college? Where did you go to college? Where did you go to college? medications, but will “Old Dominon University” “William and Mary” “Virginia Tech” also contain a “health PHOTO: HCPS FACEBOOK isolation room.” This Do you have any pets? Do you have any pets? Do you have any pets? “I have a dog and a cat” “I do not have any pets” “I have three pets” New HCPS Logo encourages COVID-19 safety.