As soon as the word was out Thursday evening that the school board had chosen the name Hopkinsville Christian County Academy for the consolidated high school that’s slated to open in 2024, reaction came not only from this community but also from people around the state.
It might not seem like it right now, but a lot of the criticism is grounded in respect. Kentuckians who pay attention to high school sports know that the Hopkinsville Tigers and the Christian County Colonels are no slackers in athletic competition. Both schools have the state championship banners and individual records to prove it. Except in the unusual off-year, no out-of-town team expects to roll into this community and have it easy against either of the public schools in any sport.
To put it bluntly, the name that the school board approved got hammered on social media.
“I’m embarrassed to even retweet this. Such an awful name,” said a Lexington Herald Leader sports writer when he, well, retweeted the news from Hopkinsville resident Chris Jung, the former sports editor of the Kentucky New Era who continues to follow and support local high school talent.
Other comments followed, including “Yikes,” “Gee Whiz,” “Oy” and several eye rolls.
“Doesn’t really flow off the tongue,” said another observer who reacted to the choice.
I agree that Hopkinsville Christian County Academy doesn’t flow well. It just sounds clunky — like a combination that was created to not offend anyone who might feel left out. That’s a decision made on current considerations — not on the future, which is where this school will exist. In my opinion, Christian County alone would have been best. I do understand, though, why many students, parents and educators wanted to call the school an academy. It refers to an innovative kind of school that administrators are pledging to create. The concept is ambitious, as it should be.
My only hope is that the community doesn’t revert to using the initials as the actual name of the school. I’m already dreading the news releases that I’m afraid will be littered with “HCCA.” Argh!
Maybe the name that evolves naturally will be revealed during ballgames.
When sportscasters call a basketball game, and the action is fast and exciting, how will they refer to the team during a live broadcast? I’d bet it won’t be the full name and it won’t be HCCA. (Lord, please don’t let it be HCCA.)
I realize anyone calling the game can use the mascot name (and we’ll get to that), but what about saying a short, conversational version of the school’s full name? That will be necessary from time to time. Maybe it will go something like this: “Hopkinsville just stole the ball, and we’re tied with 10 seconds in this game, folks!”
Or will it be “Christian County?” Any bets on “Hopkinsville Christian County?”
The students will have some say, too. What will they chant and shout from the stands at football and soccer games?
It might seem that I’m making too much of this. But how the community refers to the consolidated high school will be huge in terms of its identity.
Now, the mascot.
It wasn’t entirely clear at the meeting Thursday night, but it seemed the board members intended to choose Wolves or Wolfpack for the mascot and royal blue and black for the colors.
In a huge nod to local history, the mascot apparently is adopted from Attucks High School, the county’s only high school for Black students during segregation. Attucks opened in 1916 and graduated its last senior class in 1967. The building at First and Vine streets stands today in a sad state of ongoing decay.
This mascot choice ought to come with some reflection and respect. I hope district administrators will find opportunities to meet with former Attucks students, including athletes, band members and cheerleaders who were the original Wolves in this town. Surely, it would be inspirational for students of the new high school to hear the personal stories of the Attucks students. Many alumni of Attucks are still with us, but there are fewer every year. We shouldn’t overlook this opportunity while it is still within reach.
I believe some kind of ceremony — a hand-off of sorts from Attucks, Hopkinsville and Christian County alumni — would be appropriate when the new school is christened.
Also, the legacies of Attucks, Hopkinsville and Christian County high schools could all be honored at the consolidated high school by commissioning a prominent mural in the new building. It would be a meaningful tribute and a sign of unity for the community. And right now, we need that kind of connection that binds the past, present and future.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.
