The West Clermont Branding Committee unveils its recommendation to the Board of Education on May 26.

The West Clermont Branding Committee unveils its recommendation to the Board of Education on May 26.
Staff report

The new West Clermont High and Middle Schools have chosen a mascot: the Wolves.

The West Clermont Local School District announced in January of 2015 that it would be consolidating Amelia and Glen Este High and Middle Schools by the start of the 2017-18 school year.

As part of that transition, a district Branding Committee has been meeting to help select a new mascot and school colors for what will become a 2,500-student high school and a 1,900-student middle school. This committee is composed of parents, students and staff.

“We were pleased to have received around 280 suggestions from our communities for the new mascot,” said Dr. Keith Kline, Superintendent. “Our committee has worked hard to take those suggestions and narrow them down to three finalists.” The committee, who had set criteria before asking for suggestions, worked through a process that narrowed the field to fifty, then to nineteen, then to three. “The committee worked hard to review each suggestion, then select the finalists that would be the best match for West Clermont,” Kline said.

After extensive community and student involvement, the Board of Education adopted a resolution announcing the school colors and a mascot for the new West Clermont High and Middle Schools at their meeting on May 26.

Starting in the fall of 2017, the new mascot representing West Clermont will be the Wolves. School colors will be navy blue, white, silver/gray and black.

The committee set criteria before receiving 280 suggestions for the mascot, which they narrowed to 50, then to 19 and then to the final three: Raiders, Titans and Wolves.

The three mascots were then voted on by the entire student body — grades K-12 — and “Wolves” was selected by 64 percent.

The committee also identified logos and other insignia called “West Clermont Marks,” that will be used to symbolize the academic and extra-curricular programs offered by West Clermont High and Middle Schools.

The district is currently moving forward in the development of a style guide to instruct authorized users on the proper use of the West Clermont Marks in order to maintain quality and consistency.

This style guide, along with a defined process for applying for use of the West Clermont Marks, will be available to the community when they are complete.

The West Clermont Marks are owned exclusively by the district and are protected under state and federal laws governing trademarks and copyrights.

As a brand owner, the district has a responsibility to police and enforce its marks or risk losing them and the good will they symbolize. Therefore, the district must insist that any proposed use be approved by the district beforehand, consistent with the law.

This includes use on clothing items, posters, web pages, and all other uses that may create a likelihood of confusion with respect to the source, sponsorship, or affiliation with the district, whether or not such use of for profit.

“I appreciate the members of the Branding Committee for taking this on and for reaching out and involving the community and students in the process,” Kline said. “This was a very open and collaborative process that reflects the spirit of our school system. It’s exciting to see the entire project moving forward so quickly.”

According to Kline, administrators, teachers, and support staff are working on plans for the new building which include: Access to modern science, engineering and chemistry labs needed to prepare students for college or the workforce; Additional academic opportunities, computer systems, science labs and technology; the ability for all students to access programming regardless of where they live (International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, Career-based programming); a swimming pool; and, additional safety and security measures.

The public is invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony that is on Thursday, May 28, 2015 at 4:00 P.M. at the corner of Bach Buxton Rd. and Clough Pike.

Thanks in large part to a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) agreement brokered by Union Township, the district is constructing this much-needed, consolidated high school at no additional cost to school district residents.

Contact Debbie Alberico, alberico_d@westcler.org, with any questions or to inquire about licensing and sponsorship opportunities.