STAUNTON - There's now a new mascot to go with the new name.

After the Staunton City School Board voted to change the high school's name from Robert E. Lee to Staunton High School effective July 1, 2019, the school revealed its new mascot and nickname Thursday morning in a press release.

"Staunton High School will be the home of the Staunton Storm, featuring a warrior carrying a lightning bolt and shield emblazoned with an 'S'," the release read.

The selection was made by students at both Shelburne Middle School and Robert E. Lee High School, as well as teachers and staff at the high school. The selection committee will be working over the coming weeks to finalize new school

logos.

There's also a minor change in the school's colors, which will now be navy blue, white and silver. Currently the blue is royal instead of navy.

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According to the release, the inspiration for the Staunton Storm came from a quote by an unknown author and popularized by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady — “Fate whispers to the warrior, ‘you cannot withstand the storm.’ The warrior whispers back, ‘I am the storm.’”

Brady posted that quote on his Instagram account in January, 2018 ahead of the NFL playoffs that season.

"I think that is a neutral nickname that hopefully everyone will come together on." said MacKensie Bowles, a 2018 graduate of Lee High. "Although it is a change that some may appreciate more than others, my hope is that it is a change that unifies the students of the school because they will be affected by it the most in terms of representing their school proudly."

High school principal Nate Collins said the new mascot and nickname reflects the strength the school has in its diversity of individuals.

“The warrior’s shield acknowledges our role as protectors and our responsibility to each other," he said in the release. "The lightning bolt is indicative of our power and our desire to always 'lead the charge,' a motto we often reference at the high school. And finally, the classic Greek styling of the warrior is a nod to history and a reflection of our city, known for its classic architecture, including many in the Greek Revival style.”

The decision on a nickname came down to the Storm and the Chargers. A 23-member committee that was made up of students, teachers and staff worked the past three months to develop the concepts for the new mascot.

Then a survey was released to allow all middle and high school students, along with the faculty and staff of the high school, to vote on either Storm or Chargers. The Staunton School Board did not participate in the selection process.

“No other high school in Virginia has the nickname ‘Storm,’ and our designed mascot logo is unique among other schools and professional teams that use the Storm nickname,” Collins said.

The designs were developed with the assistance of Jostens, a memorabilia manufacturer known mostly for providing class rings and yearbooks. Jostens is providing design services at no cost to the school or school division, according to the release.

Follow Patrick on Twitter @Patrick_Hite

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