Baldwin-Whitehall adopts new youth mascot: Scottie the Brave

School mascots are steeped in tradition. Sometimes, mascots can get stuck in the history, relics of the past that current students don’t connect with. The Baldwin-Whitehall School District (BWSD) has a lively mascot, the Fighting Highlander, who serves as a dynamic districtwide mascot that the entire community embraces. Seeking to build in the strength of the Fighting Highlander, the leaders of the district hatched an innovative idea: a youth mascot. What if they introduced a new mascot for the youngest students? This not only would enable the children to meet a mascot they could relate to, but give them a part of the process.

A fresh-faced West Highland Terrier was drawn up and students in kindergarten through fifth grade were invited to give him a name. Dozens of suggestions were submitted with one resounding favorite: Scottie the Brave.

“We wanted to empower our students to think about how school culture is created and take an active role in it. Programs like this promote social and emotional learning and a sense of belonging. That in turn enhances academic achievement,” shares Dr. Randal Lutz, superintendent of schools.

The students who submitted the winning name were invited to a reception with Dr. Lutz and Dr. Janeen Peretin, director of communication, innovation, and advancement for BWSD. Each student was presented with a plush Scottie the Brave, complete with an adoption certificate memorializing their role in this new lovable youth mascot for the district.

Scottie is now a positive part of school culture who promotes connection and achievement.