Kudos to Mr. and Mrs. Barger (Reader Viewpoint Dec. 13) and Rodney Richey for presenting a workable solution to the matter of potential high school consolidation within Anderson Community Schools. The idea of a newly named school with a new mascot while respecting and celebrating the traditions of the three predecessor schools is such a good one that it has worked in neighboring Henry County for over 40 years.
In the 1960s it became apparent that Straughn, Lewisville and Spiceland schools needed to be consolidated into one high school for grades 7-12. The strategy adopted for making this consolidation workable and acceptable to the community was to come up with a neutral name as well as new mascot, school colors and fight song. As a member of the freshman class the day the school opened its doors in the fall of 1969, I recall that most of us were excited about the prospect of a brand-new, “big” (at least by our frame of reference) school.
This past August, alumni from all four decades gathered to celebrate the first 40 years of the school’s existence. Even some members of the first senior class, 1970, were there and we were all Titans (not former Indians, Stingers or Bears if I remember my old school mascots correctly).
However, I respectfully suggest Anderson come up with another name, as “Tri High” is already taken.
Barbara J. Alder
Anderson
Tri High School Class of 1973
