Current Manhattan High school students and alumni of the school all have varying perspectives regarding the Indian mascot. However, alumni have often had more time to consider their views on the mascot.

With reasons ranging from tradition, values and history, there has been a vocal group of alumni who stand in strong support of retaining the Indian mascot.

“It is the most polite way to try and honor the local native american heritage which has been historically whitewashed and digitally ignored,” Justin Briggs, a graduate of the class of 2003, stated.

Many are proud to call themselves Manhattan High “Indians” and wear the title with respect and out of honor. That has not changed over the years in their eyes.

“My feelings about the the importance of the Indian symbol to MHS and the Manhattan community have not changed in the 50 years since I graduated from MHS,” said Linda Wassberg, graduate of the class of 1966 and current President of the MHS Alumni Association.

Others believe that the symbol is full of cultural heritage and is something to celebrated and embraced by the school and community.

“The Indian symbol is a positive celebration of the multicultural world that we inherited and which we live in today,” said Janet Duncan, graduate of class of 1958, the editor of the Alumni Mentor and a member of the MHSAA. “It is not ‘cultural appropriation.’”

However, alumni of MHS are not exclusively in favor of retaining the Indian mascot. Many alumni simply do not feel a strong emotional attachment to the mascot.

“In my opinion I don’t feel a clear connection to the mascot of the Indians,” said Allison Devlin, graduate of the class of 2012. “I played softball. I was in choir. I was pretty involved in the school, but I feel more connected to the people more than the mascot.”

Paul Knackendoffel, a graduate of the class of 2011, participated in many activities while at MHS including Student Council, Mr. MHS, cross country and Thespians. Knackendoffel contributes his success and involvement not to the mascot but to his teachers, peers, parents and administration.

“A mascot is no more than a symbol and whether the mascot is the Manhattan High Indians or the Manhattan High Corgi’s our students will still achieve success,” Knackendoffel said..

Josh Lynch, graduate of the class of 2008 believes that the mascot should be retired simply because the debate continues to come up and be an issue. If the mascot is retired this time around, the school will not have to go through the process again.

No matter which side of the issue alumni stand, many believe there should be more education regarding Native Americans and the mascot in general.

“I do believe we, as alumni and educators, need to do a better job of explaining to new students and the community why this symbol is important to MHS,” Wassberg said.

Caitlin Rusk who graduated from MHS last year did not think about the mascot or history before the debate surrounding the possibility of retiring the Indian mascot came up.

“No one talked about the history unless they were defending it,” Rusk said. “It’s weird to me how people only became passionate about the heritage once they thought it might be ‘taken away.’”