GRAND RAPIDS, MI —Godfrey-Lee Public Schools has unveiled its new mascot and logo, the Legends, after replacing its longtime “Lee Rebels” name and mascot.

The design work for the new mascot and logo, a dragon sitting atop a crest, was done in cooperation with Grand Rapids-based Well Design Studio.

“The Legends name will inspire the district and unify our community behind the aspirational goal to #BeLegendary,” Superintendent Kevin Polston said in a statement.

“Students were at the heart of the decision making process, and the spirit of their artwork serves as the inspiration for the mascot design. We are thankful for our donors for supporting the district so that general fund dollars targeted for the classroom aren’t spent on this project.”

The Godfrey-Lee Board of Education voted unanimously in June 2019 to adopt the name “Legends" to replace its longtime “Lee Rebels” name and mascot. The district phased out the Rebels name and mascot, saying the Confederate symbol does not fit its goal of creating a welcoming environment for all students.

The new mascot will be incorporated in August into the district’s athletic uniforms, signs, murals and digital footprint. In addition, the district has the potential to use the Spanish version of Legends, Leyendas, to represent the district. Godfre-Lee has a large number of Latino students.

In a press release, the district said its general fund dollars targeted for the classroom were not used for the project. The district received financial support from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Frey Foundation, and the Native American Heritage Fund.

According to former superintendent David Britten, Lee School was named after Lee Street and it is unknown how the street got its name.

The Rebel nickname emerged in 1936 and the school was tied to Confederate General Robert E. Lee at that time because the yearbook theme was the Civil War. The mascot was once a helmeted Spartan soldier but later became a Confederate soldier.

Related: Godfrey-Lee phasing out ‘Rebel’ name, mascot

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