Wyandanch district to choose new logo to comply with Native American mascot ban

Wyandanch residents will now have until Tuesday to cast their votes for a new school logo, as the district transitions to its new Wolves nickname to comply with the state's ban on Native American mascots and other imagery in public schools.

School officials said that they had extended the initial deadline, set for Friday, in an effort to attract more community participation.

“The deadline extension coincides with National Night Out, an event where our community and the police come together in camaraderie,” schools Superintendent Erik Wright said in a statement Thursday. “There is always a large turnout, which is a great opportunity to have more members participate in the survey.”

Residents have two options to choose from, both of which feature a drawing of a green-and-white wolf with a "W." The two were narrowed down from a larger field of options, which residents voted on earlier this month.

"The entire school community participated in the selection, the design, drawing and naming of the new mascot," Wyandanch school board President Latesha Walker said in an interview on Wednesday. "We relied heavily on survey data from the entire school community and surrounding residential community to come down to those two final versions."

The vote follows an announcement by Wright in June that the district had selected Wolves as its new name, replacing Warriors. Other choices that had been considered were Dragons and Panthers.

At the time, Wright said of the new name, "We believe it will serve as a symbol of strength, unity and pride for current and future generations of Wyandanch students."

The decision made Wyandanch the latest Long Island school district to comply with the state's Native American mascot ban.

In 2023, the state Board of Regents banned the use of Native American mascots, team names and logos in public schools. The mandate affected 13 districts on Long Island, most of which have taken steps to retire their mascots and names.

The Wyandanch district did away with its old mascot, which portrayed a Native American in a headdress, but had sought in federal court to keep its name. The Wantagh, Connetquot and Massapequa districts also challenged the mandate, Newsday has reported.

A federal judge ruled against the districts in March, but the Wantagh, Wyandanch and Connetquot districts filed appeals. The Massapequa district, which goes by the name Chiefs, has filed an amended complaint.

Residents weigh in

Wyandanch resident Tanya Toney, speaking in an interview Wednesday, said she “loved” the Warriors and wished the “cool name” could remain. But if the change “had to be done” given the state’s mandate, she said she would vote for the logo with a profile view of a wolf atop a green “W.”

“I like it because it has [the word] Wyandanch in it,” said Toney, 51. “The colors stand out more, the yellow and the green.”

Keyli Romero, who graduated from Wyandanch Memorial High School in 2021, said she also preferred the old Warriors team name because “she grew up with it" but the new wolf mascot “looks way better than the Warrior.” She said she liked the logo showing the profile view of the wolf. 

Xiomara Corea, 26, said some members of the community felt “it was about time” to move away from the Native American imagery. She added the publicity generated by the Wolves team name and mascot could mark a new chapter for the community.

“I feel like Wyandanch is coming into itself, putting itself in a position to show ‘we’re somebody,’ ” she said. "Now everybody recognizes who Wyandanch is."

Walker said the district's central administration office will announce the winner at a later date. She did not say when that would occur.

"Based on the survey data it shows that folks are ready to move forward. ... Wonderful things are happening in our community and our schools, and we are dedicated to pushing forward and making positive, lasting, sustainable impact," she said. 

Residents can vote on the new logo at wyandanch.k12.ny.us.

Newsday's Nicholas Grasso contributed to this report.