St. Luke's No Longer 'Crusading'

The following is a press release issued by St. Luke's communications office.

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St. Luke's School's Mascot Committee announced today the final selection of the new team name—St. Luke's Storm will be the rally cry as the 18 varsity teams take to the fields, courts and links in the 2010-2011 school year. 
 
A Mascot Committee member and class of 2012 student announced the decision to the students: "We are energetic. We are bold. We are unique. We are strong. We are the St. Luke's Storm—be a part of the Storm!"

The name was selected from over 300 suggestions submitted by the student body. The wider community had an opportunity to weigh in based on the criteria that the name be respectful, inspiring and inclusive. The Storm was the clear leader and the students, faculty and staff look forward to 'being part of the storm' in the years to come.

Mark Davis, Head of School, said, "The Board of Trustees and I are enormously proud of our students' school spirit. This spirit is always evident at our athletic contests, on our stages, in our classrooms and within our community. In our mascot selection process, our students have engaged with enthusiasm, support and pride in our school—always with the inclusive, mission-driven spirit of St. Luke's."

Dick Whitcomb, Headmaster Emeritus, supports the mascot change. "St. Luke's School continues to grow as a diverse community. School spirit has always been strong and will continue to be so. As always, I'll be on the sidelines rooting for our student athletes!"

Although the mascot has changed, what hasn't changed is the school's commitment to community, inclusion, and mission. The School Identity Task Force, comprised of faculty and staff, trustees, parents, and alumni convened for six months to study the whole of the school's identity, including the most recent mascot, the Crusader, the fourth team name in the school's 82-year history. Alumni are also proud Hilltoppers, Saints, Maroon and Grays. From the Task Force's work, a Mascot Committee was formed with student leaders, along with alumni, faculty, staff, trustee and parent representatives.

For alumni, their personal connection to St. Luke's has been woven into the history of the School. Just as they have left their own unique mark here, each also carries a small strand of institutional DNA that identifies them as part of St. Luke's, past, present, and future. Nothing can change that, regardless of a graduation year or distance from the Hilltop. The alumni are part of the school's spirit and always will be, regardless of which SLS team name they wore. Once a Maroon and Gray, or Saint, or Hilltopper, or Crusader, always one. And the trophies and plaques, awards, and records will always stand under the mantle of the jerseys once worn.