BELLEFONTE — A public survey that asks the question, “What does it means to be a Red Raider?” is now displayed on the Bellefonte Area School District website.
The survey, which opened on April 8, is the first step to examine the overall identity of the district in the wake of the community-wide uproar over the nickname “Red Raiders” and the Native American imagery associated with it.
School board vice-chair Jon Guizar, who is also on the district branding committee, said during an April 4 board of director’s meeting that “anyone with an opinion that is tied to our district is encouraged to complete this survey.”
Over the past two years, the board has grappled with how to move forward with an issue that had divided the community. In the spring of 2021, after nearly a year’s worth of information gathering, the board voted to drop the word “Red” and the Native American imagery from the official nickname or moniker.
Then, two months after the 2021 General Election put three new members on the board, those motions were rescinded and the term “Red Raider” was officially reinstated, along with the imagery.
At that time, the district created a branding committee to “engage all stakeholders and provide feedback and recommendation to the district in pursuit of trademarks and a complete branding guide. More specifically, to make recommendation to the board on a district logo, moniker, artwork and color schemes that will eventually be incorporated into a district branding guide.”
Branding expert John Jenson was hired to help the district with this process. Jenson is a client of yearbook and class ring business Jostens, who is footing the bill for his work. The survey is the first step in the process.
“We are excited to have him help us through the process of branding in our district,” said Guizar. “We are attempting to find out what the truth is behind our true identity. It is one thing to say who we are, but it quite another to find the truth behind that, and live who you are. It is not just a name on a building. It should really have some meaning behind it. That is the purpose of this survey.”
He added that the survey is not a vote and will not decide anything, “one way or the other.”
“You can fill that survey out a thousand times and it won’t impact the end result one bit,” he said. “The survey is about what you believe.” He encouraged people on both sides of the issue to participate and said this is a “completely different” process than what was used to discuss the issue in the past. “It is trying to find us as a community … as a district,” said Guizar.
“What do we believe in? Who are we? What do we want the world to know us as when we say that is a Bellefonte grad?”
Beyond asking survey takers to explain what it means to be a “Red Raider,” the survey also asks:
-What are the positive traits and attributes of an actual “Red Raider” that you think everyone involved with the district should embody?
-If there is one word that you hope describes the culture in our district, what word would you choose?
-What is one thing that you feel separates Bellefonte from surrounding schools?
-What is it about being a “Red Raider” that elicits so much emotion within our community?
-After processing the conversation surrounding the current “Red Raider” nickname, what are the ideas and opinions you would like to share?
The survey will be managed by Jenson, who will analyze the information for the district. Those who are unable to access the survey online may contact the district to find access.
