Proud to be a Redskin

I had some amazing times at Colusa High, times that have shaped who I am today. I graduated with people I graduated from preschool with. People who I grew up with and who will always have a place in my heart. As will Colusa High. It is great that everyone feels so strongly about the tradition our high school’s name holds, but I think people are giving a lot of credit to a name. I am proud to say I am a Redskin, but that has nothing to do with the name. It is about what the name represents. It is about the school, what I accomplished there, my friends, and all the amazing memories we’ve had.

I cannot say whether the term “redskin” is derogatory or not. I can, however, say that no matter how proud I am to be a Redskin, there are people out there who feel even more strongly about how offensive it is to them. I may feel it is an honor to them, but if they do not take it that way then it is not so. It is not the name that makes Colusa High special to me, it is the sense of security that comes with this community I was raised in. It is the kids who became my family, for better or worse. It is my favorite teachers, who will keep guiding me for years to come. Whether I had graduated a Wolf, a Bear, a Honker, or even a Fighting Zebra I would still be proud to say that I am a Colusa High School Alumni. No change in name is going to change that for me or for any other graduate of Colusa High; past, present, or future.

Katherine Conrado