Holy Souls Mascot Name Change from Wabbits to Something New

Keep name WABBIT!,,,,,,,,,

NO, the Mascot has a long history of being associated with Holy Souls. The Holy Souls tradition includes being a proud Wabbit. Few people even know how the name Wabbit came to be. If they did, they would understand its meaning and what it stands for. I vote to keep the proud name of Wabbit! I am a 1959 graduate and both of my children were Wabbits. My granddaughter is now a proud Wabbit!

I just recently exchanged birthday cards with a girl I I graduated with in 1954. Our birthdays are 8 days apart and we exchange cards every year. I was a football player at Holy Souls and she was a cheerleader. Our cards both mentioned being Wabbits with fond memories. If given the choice I'd vote on keeping the name.

While I do not support a mascot change, I do want to thank you and your husband for your service to our wonderful school. That should not be overlooked by any means. Everyone should have a voice here and I'm sorry if you all feel bombarded.

As a graduate of Holy Souls, and then a proud tiger at Central, I wholeheartedly support Amanda and Wallace Smith and most importantly the changing of my Alma Mater's mascot.

The below is my Facebook post: I try to stay away from posting or engaging on any controversial topics on FB, be it political, religious, social, etc. However, I feel the need to address some questions and comments that I have seen on FB regarding my husband's, Wallace Smith, petition for signatures for the opportunity for our Holy Souls School Board and PTO to consider a mascot change. Our family is a member of Holy Souls parish and our daughter is a student at Holy Souls in 6th grade (We became a member when our daughter started Pre-K, minus 2 years when we were in Oklahoma in 1st and 2nd grade). Wallace has two adult sons, from his previous marriage. They were in the 2nd and 4th grade when we got married and became a family. The boys were Good Counsel Gophers (until GC closed) and then were St. Edward Dragons - and both graduated from Catholic High. We actually live in a part of Little Rock where we could attend school/church in a different parish. However, we chose, many years ago, to become a part of Holy Souls. I do not come from, nor Wallace, a part of a 2nd, 3rd or 4th generation Holy Souls family. However, we are proud parishioners and parents, financially supporting both the church and school. I served a year on the PTO and have served several years as homeroom parent. Wallace has coached numerous sports and seasons for our daughter's school volleyball and basketball team. Additionally, in terms of our commitment and support of the school, one reason our new playground exists is because my husband donated his time, energy and professional resources to research and design it (with asking nothing in exchange, such as signage/naming opportunities, etc). Wallace has consistently volunteered for the Men's Club Shrimp and Oyster Dinner, working the craps table. I write the above things to address comments I have seen questioning our involvement and commitment to our church and school. Although Wallace and I are not from multi-generational Holy

Wow..This seems like a pretty simple request being put forth by some current parents and it surely is being met with some "not so simple" responses. Keep it civil. 1) Why does this come up for a vote every 10 Years or less? 2) Why isn't the mascot used more on Tee-Shirts that are sold School wide and Why isn't the mascot utilized in advertising for school functions?(I never see the Wabbit except for new student signs in yards) That is all..Go H.S.S.

this has to be the most absurd thing i've seen in awhile...and that's saying something in our political environment...we are wabbits...i am a wabbit, my kids are all wabbits - grads and a present student...for generations we are W-A-B-B-I-T-S...renaming our mascot is not only ridiculous, it's a slap in the face to those who have come before your child...holy souls alumns...and primarily monsignor allen...if you didn't know him, you can't possibly grasp the history, photos, memories, ice cream, pride, and respect that came with loving him...if your child "baby" is embarrassed by being a "wabbit" well then...go be a bear...leave us to our wabbits....and let him take a damn participation trophy across town with him!! #wabbitsforlife

Go Dad!

On behalf of myself, my five sisters, five children, and seventeen grandchildren who are either Alums of HS or current students, I say no change to the mascot name. Somehow we all made it through without being stigmatized by the name Wabbits. It is a unique name for a very unique group of graduates and current students. Let's allow future students and graduates to enjoy the same unique feeling the mascot provides for all of us. Leave the name alone and find a more worthy cause to champion.

signature deleted.

How do I delete my signature?

I am a Wabbit alum and Msgr. Allen would be so upset at this changing of the mascot. It is steeped in such history. Proud to be a Wabbit!

First word in your comment is TRADITION! I have never heard one student say they didn't like the name, nor have I ever heard a competitive school make fun of the name. I have been to plenty of football, basketball and volleyball games the last 6 years. Not one opposing player or parents have ever said a thing about this.

I vote for keeping the mascot. Go Wabbits!! I'm a Zebra & a Razorback. I like the unique mascots.

Tradition: In 1947, Monsignor Allen responded to the kids request for a sports name by asking for the kids to decide themselves. A child with a speech impediment couldn't say Rabbits and instead said Wabbits and the name stuck. -- Arkansas Institute of Stuides HS History 1926-1994. This petition is a response to lots of our kids at HS wanting to change their name and to giving the kids that chance with school leadership guidance.

HS mascot was originally the Jack Rabbits, so if you want to go with the original name start there. Msgr. Allen changed to to Wabbits because a young student couldn't say "Rabbit" but said "wabbits". I graduated as a HS "Trojan" in 1972. (I'll omit why that was the chosen name.) If we had only changed the name to "Saints" we wouldn't be having this conversation. "Saints" are not perfect but they strive to be.

Roger, no worries about your petition signature. It will not be counted in the total.

Maybe they will finally get a good name that intimidates the other teams the slightest amount this time.

My husband was a Holy Souls Trojan and my kids all wanted to change the mascot.