The school board just confirmed the mascot stays and I am basically spinning around my kitchen right now because it is finally settled. Who knew this was going to happen but honestly it is just such a relief to know the name stays the same and we can stop worrying …
August 28, 2015
Final supporters
The name and mascot of James F. Byrnes High School, the Rebels, have unarguably become synonymous with a nationally recognized football team and its prestigious fine arts program, including the "Rebel Regiment" marching band and, in recent years, "The Rebel Theater Company".
With 11 State Championships in football - eight of those in the last 13 years, 10 State Championships held by the marching band, and growing notoriety for the theater department, which has secured four State Championships in the last five years, many who support the school would argue the name is that which is associated with pride and achievement.
Unfortunately, the Rebel name has come under attack by a member of the local NAACP chapter, and that member is requesting that the group petition the district for a change. While members of the group may feel justified in this move, many of us do not share the same sentiment. Many teachers, students, alumni and general supporters of the school do not see the Rebel name in a negative light, but embrace it for what it has become under its highly regarded programs.
Being a Rebel simply means you attended a school that took academics seriously, provided wonderful teachers who wanted you to succeed, could provide state and nationally recognized programs to be a part of, and had classmates that could come together and celebrate the good, yet uplift one another through the harder times. Nothing more. Nothing less.
If you are proud to be a Rebel or would simply like to voice your support in opposition of a name/mascot change, please take a moment to sign and share this petition. Thank you!
Updates
July 14, 2015
I just looked at the counter and realized we actually hit one thousand signatures which is just wild because I honestly thought this would just be me and a few friends shouting into the void. It really makes me think about all those Friday nights under the lights and how much this name means to so many of us who grew up in those halls.
Reached 1,000 supporters
July 12, 2015
Reached 100 supporters
July 11, 2015
July 10, 2015
I noticed we are climbing toward that first thousand mark so please grab your phone and send the link to five people who care about our history because this momentum is actually starting to feel real. It is crazy how fast this is moving but we really need to keep the energy up before anyone tries to dismiss us as just a small group.
930 Comments
I am a junior this year and I start my sign language club this year it's name is the "Rebel Signers" I will not take that name away. I rather lose the whole club and everything I work for before I change the name. "Once a Rebel always a Rebel"
The REBELS name for James F. Byrnes Teams is just a nickname that has been with the School for over fifty years. It's not racist, it's just a teams nickname. Please don't make the school that I Graduated from in 1971 change it's NAME an loss it's identity.
When our ancestors fought for our independence from Britain, they were Rebels. If you read the Webster's definition of Rebel, you will find that it means an opposition to authority. Webster's makes no mention of any race related meaning.
I'm a true blue Cavalier so you won't hear this much... GO REBELS! It's not just a name, it's a community...REBEL NATION! If that changes will they force the whole town redecorate? You can't walk into a business in Duncan and see (and feel) the REBEL PRIDE!
I'm a part of the rebel regiment in byrnes. And I believe that changing the name would change everything that is a part of that band. I love and enjoy every part of that band and I would not want to change the rebel regiments name at all.
Keep the name the kids are proud of their school all my family members graduated there, never seen any racism in that school, leave the past alone the main problem with racism is the ones trying to bring the past into the present like the old saying goes can't walk towards the future long as your looking at and holding on to the past
Riverside Warrior here who lives around lots of Byrnes Rebels down here off South Bennett's Bridge Rd. where Byrnes, Riverside and JL Mann school district meets on the Greenville/Spartanburg County Line. We all in our Pelham neighborhood want to keep Byrnes the way it is...NAME & ALL...
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The school board just confirmed the mascot stays and I am basically spinning around my kitchen right now because it is finally settled. Who knew this was going to happen but honestly it is just such a relief to know the name stays the same and we can stop worrying …
August 28, 2015
Final supporters
The name and mascot of James F. Byrnes High School, the Rebels, have unarguably become synonymous with a nationally recognized football team and its prestigious fine arts program, including the "Rebel Regiment" marching band and, in recent years, "The Rebel Theater Company".
With 11 State Championships in football - eight of those in the last 13 years, 10 State Championships held by the marching band, and growing notoriety for the theater department, which has secured four State Championships in the last five years, many who support the school would argue the name is that which is associated with pride and achievement.
Unfortunately, the Rebel name has come under attack by a member of the local NAACP chapter, and that member is requesting that the group petition the district for a change. While members of the group may feel justified in this move, many of us do not share the same sentiment. Many teachers, students, alumni and general supporters of the school do not see the Rebel name in a negative light, but embrace it for what it has become under its highly regarded programs.
Being a Rebel simply means you attended a school that took academics seriously, provided wonderful teachers who wanted you to succeed, could provide state and nationally recognized programs to be a part of, and had classmates that could come together and celebrate the good, yet uplift one another through the harder times. Nothing more. Nothing less.
If you are proud to be a Rebel or would simply like to voice your support in opposition of a name/mascot change, please take a moment to sign and share this petition. Thank you!
Updates
July 14, 2015
I just looked at the counter and realized we actually hit one thousand signatures which is just wild because I honestly thought this would just be me and a few friends shouting into the void. It really makes me think about all those Friday nights under the lights and how much this name means to so many of us who grew up in those halls.
Reached 1,000 supporters
July 12, 2015
Reached 100 supporters
July 11, 2015
July 10, 2015
I noticed we are climbing toward that first thousand mark so please grab your phone and send the link to five people who care about our history because this momentum is actually starting to feel real. It is crazy how fast this is moving but we really need to keep the energy up before anyone tries to dismiss us as just a small group.
930 Comments
I was a student the first year black students attended. We got along fine then. Don't undo all the good that has been done over the years. Stand for whats right and keep the "Rebels" name. Changing it would do much more harm than good.
I am a junior this year and I start my sign language club this year it's name is the "Rebel Signers" I will not take that name away. I rather lose the whole club and everything I work for before I change the name. "Once a Rebel always a Rebel"
The REBELS name for James F. Byrnes Teams is just a nickname that has been with the School for over fifty years. It's not racist, it's just a teams nickname. Please don't make the school that I Graduated from in 1971 change it's NAME an loss it's identity.
When our ancestors fought for our independence from Britain, they were Rebels. If you read the Webster's definition of Rebel, you will find that it means an opposition to authority. Webster's makes no mention of any race related meaning.
I'm a true blue Cavalier so you won't hear this much... GO REBELS! It's not just a name, it's a community...REBEL NATION! If that changes will they force the whole town redecorate? You can't walk into a business in Duncan and see (and feel) the REBEL PRIDE!
I'm a part of the rebel regiment in byrnes. And I believe that changing the name would change everything that is a part of that band. I love and enjoy every part of that band and I would not want to change the rebel regiments name at all.
Keep the name the kids are proud of their school all my family members graduated there, never seen any racism in that school, leave the past alone the main problem with racism is the ones trying to bring the past into the present like the old saying goes can't walk towards the future long as your looking at and holding on to the past
Riverside Warrior here who lives around lots of Byrnes Rebels down here off South Bennett's Bridge Rd. where Byrnes, Riverside and JL Mann school district meets on the Greenville/Spartanburg County Line. We all in our Pelham neighborhood want to keep Byrnes the way it is...NAME & ALL...
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I was a student the first year black students attended. We got along fine then. Don't undo all the good that has been done over the years. Stand for whats right and keep the "Rebels" name. Changing it would do much more harm than good.