How school mascots can be harmful: Author Traci Sorrell gives virtual talk at Saint Michael’s on her novel “MASCOT”

Traci Sorrell, an American author of fiction and nonfiction, recently appeared virtually at Saint Michael’s College for a keynote address about her book, and this year’s Education Department common read, “MASCOT.” 

The event was held in the McCarthy Arts Center and was geared towards students studying education, as they were required to read the novel as a basis for class discussions and learning.  

South Burlington High School Activities Director Michael Jabour, second from left, speaks about his experience of pushing to change the mascot of the South Burlington School District during a panel at Saint Michael’s College on Oct. 15, 2024. (Photo by Sophie Burt ’26)

Saint Michael’s Education Professor Amy Farber gave an introduction of the themes Sorrell’s novel addresses, saying it centers “on middle school’s mascots, and how it can harm and stereotype as well as cause polarization in school communities.”  

Before Sorrell appeared virtually, four educators from the South Burlington School District who recalled the process of changing the name of the school district’s mascot several years ago, and they shared their insights on why the history behind the mascot can be disrespectful.  

The four panelists said that South Burlington High School changed their mascot from the “Rebels” to the “Wolves” in the summer of 2017, and the school district faced intense backlash from citizens and alumni.  

Traci Sorrell, author of MASCOT, appears virtually for a talk at Saint Michael’s College on Oct. 15, 2024. While she spoke, she displayed the covers of many of her books on the screen. (Photo by Sophie Burt ’26)

Chris Lei, who works in the Saint Michael’s IT department and is a 2005 alumnus of South Burlington High School, said he was a member of the committee that wanted to change the school’s mascot. Lei said there had been discussion of a potential name change since 2015.  

Michael Jabour, South Burlington High School’s Athletics Director, was involved in the name change and gave the audience historical insight into why the “Rebel” mascot was disrespectful. He explained to the audience that the “Rebel” was a caricature of a Confederate colonel, even sometimes seen waving the Confederate flag.  

Jabour said the mascot had historical ties to slavery and had no place to be in a school district.  

Jay Nichols, Vermont Principals Association Executive Director, said that people often hold value in South Burlington schools’ mascot because of tradition. They want their high school years to live on, he said.   

“Tradition is often peer pressure from dead people,” Nichols said.  

Carly Bennett, an English teacher at South Burlington High School, said that the people who were the most outraged about the mascot name change were no longer active members of South Burlington’s community.  

A member of the audience during a panel discussion of MASCOT at Saint Michael’s College asks a question during the event on Oct. 15, 2024. (Photo by Sophie Burt ’26)

“A lot of the people who were the loudest voices against the mascot change were no longer living in South Burlington,” Bennett said. 

The four panelists agreed that Sorrell’s novel MASCOT addressed many of the issues people faced during South Burlington High School’s mascot change.  

Sorrell joined the panel virtually through Zoom and shared her screen to show the audience many of her other award-winning works. Sorrell writes mainly children’s books along with some stories meant for young adults.  

Sorrell said that inclusivity is a key aspect in her works. For example, she makes sure she has all of her books translated into various languages.  

“We need better books,” Sorrell said when addressing inclusivity’s place in children’s literature. 

Along with inclusivity, she makes sure all different identities are represented in her writing. She said she always makes sure she features characters of all races, sexualities, and disabilities.  

More information about author Traci Sorrell can be found at https://www.tracisorell.com.