Local school mascot selected by its pupils

  • 2015-07-16
Students from Singley Academy, have chosen a new mascot for their prestigious school.

Singley Academy is a non-traditional high school in Irving, whose students are selected by lottery from those who apply. According to a news article on June 18, 2015, the school added to its graduation ceremony by announcing its mascot—the phoenix. Senior class secretary Eli Lucero said the students chose the legendary bird because they wanted a symbol that would stand for the purpose, passion, and opportunities found within their school.

Members of the graduating class initiated the project to name a mascot, and were looking for a symbol that would bring the three ‘floors’ of the school together. Singley's curriculum offers six career choices that make up the school's framework: health sciences, culinary arts and the hospitality industry, video game design, law enforcement, visual arts, and public service. Students tend to identify strongly with their area of specialization, and the phoenix helps them see themselves as part of the larger structure.

Singley's principal, Dr. Tamy Smalskas, said the process of picking the mascot had been a great opportunity to unify the campus and at the same time, set it apart from other high schools. Picking the mascot involved not only the students, but the parents, members of the community, and Mrs. Singley, widow of Jack E. Singley, who served as superintendent of the Irving School District, and for whom the school is named.

School officials might like to work with a postcard printing company from the local area to produce a card for residents announcing the new mascot.