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South Burlington Votes To Keep Controversial High School Nickname

The school board in South Burlington has voted to keep a controversial nickname for its students - the Rebels.

South Burlington High School’s mascot was fashioned as a Confederate soldier back when the high school opened in 1961, in reference to the city’s decision to secede from Burlington years earlier.

The mascot was removed two decades ago, but the nickname – The Rebels – has stuck.

Some South Burlington residents have said that it’s time for the nickname to go too, but last night the city’s school board unanimously voted to keep the name.

Reporter Haley Dover covered last night’s decisionfor the Burlington Free Press and spoke with VPR about the controversial nickname.  

Annie Russell was VPR's Deputy News Director. She came to VPR from NPR's Weekends on All Things Considered and WNYC's On The Media. She is a graduate of Columbia Journalism School.
Alex was a reporter and host of VPR's local All Things Considered. He was also the co-host and co-creator of the VPR program Brave Little State.
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