Elgin High School Students Unveil Lion Mascot Design After Public Vote Replaces Retired Chief Mighty Maroon

Students Lead the Charge to Redefine Elgin High's Identity

Three Elgin High School students stood before the District U-46 School Board on Monday and presented a preliminary design for a new school mascot. The lion. It beat a fox and a watchmen in a public vote last month. And it may soon roam the sidelines at Maroons sporting events for the first time in school history.

Recent graduates Emma Valdivia and Aaron Martinez, along with incoming senior Uriel Hernandez-Flores, unveiled concept artwork that shows both a male lion with a maroon mane and a lioness with maroon accents on her tail and claws. The students proposed having two mascots to represent what they called a "pride of lions."

"Following the selection of the lion as our mascot, we are now dedicated to finding the perfect image of our mascot that embodies Elgin High as a whole," Martinez said at the board meeting. "As of now, we are thinking of creating two mascots, one male and one female, to better represent the Maroon family and to emphasize our pride by creating a pride of lions."

A School Without a Mascot Since 2002

Elgin High School, founded in 1869, has always competed as the Maroons. But the school has not had a live mascot on the field since 2002. That was the year the district retired Chief Mighty Maroon, a Native American-themed mascot that had been in place since 1982. The decision came after years of criticism that the imagery was racially insensitive.

For more than two decades, Elgin High had no costumed mascot at games. Students and staff competed under the Maroons name without a character to lead them.

The lion selection process opened the choice to students, faculty, school staff, alumni and the general public. The lion won in May.

What the Lion Will Look Like

The concept artwork shared with the board shows specific design details the students want to see in the final costumes:

• Maroon mane on the male lion
• Maroon tail and claws on the lioness
• Beige and cream coloring for realism
• The school logo on clothing
• "Maroons" on the back of shirts
• An "E" on each paw
• An "M" on each face
• Brown eyes to match a real lion

The design would extend beyond the live mascot. Once finalized, the artwork would appear on spirit wear, jerseys and shorts, according to Martinez.

"It is important to emphasize that we will always be the Maroons, but now with the heart of a lion," Martinez said. "The lion represents our Maroon pride."

Production Timeline Still Uncertain

Elgin High School Athletic Director Paul Pennington told the board the image presented is not the final product. He described it as early concept artwork that captures the features the school is seeking.

The school is now getting quotes and art renderings from vendors to build a custom mascot costume. Pennington said the school will have final approval of both the art and the production.

Elgin High School Principal Avelira Rodriguez Gonzalez said the committee overseeing the mascot project does not reconvene until August. Depending on production time and a confirmed delivery date, it is not known when the mascot might be unveiled.

"We would hope to have the live mascot in place sometime in the upcoming school year," Pennington said.

The school also plans to hold an audition or tryout similar to those used for the cheer and dance teams. Students will compete for the chance to wear the costumes.

A Community Invested in the Outcome

The mascot selection drew broad participation from the Elgin community. The public vote that chose the lion over the fox and watchmen options signaled strong local interest in how the school presents itself.

Students who led the effort said the process was about more than a costume. It was about giving the Maroons a symbol that reflects who they are.

The committee will reconvene in August to review vendor proposals and move toward a final design. Until then, Elgin High remains the Maroons. But the lion may not be far behind.