As part of a state Education Department directive to phase out Native American references by June 2024, Canandaigua schools are gearing up to replace their long-standing nickname “Braves.”
The Canandaigua City School District has shortlisted seven potential replacements through a series of surveys conducted over the last school year.
The remaining options include Bears, Cardinals, Coyotes, Gray Wolves, Lake Hawks, Wave, and simply Canandaigua.
Officials say a conclusive survey will soon be distributed among district stakeholders, narrowing down the choice to three final contenders.
The top-voted nickname will then be presented to the school board for approval.
Canandaigua Academy, recognized as the state’s oldest and among the top high schools nationwide, has been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and boasts a 91% graduation rate for 2022.
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