Re: 'There Are No 'Warriors' in Fallbrook' [Village News, Letter, 9/17/20]

Who is Anson Black Calf?

He certainly doesn't live in Fallbrook or represent Fallbrook and has quite the internet history. Google his name.

So, in regards to there being no “Warriors in Fallbrook” you are mistaken. There was a meeting with the school and the Pala tribe about the use of the native American mascots.

Our school chose the Warriors as an honor to our local indigenous people back in the 30s when grandpa was going to Fallbrook High School and the school got big enough to have athletic teams to compete.

There was a school contest to name the teams. A student from Pala won the contest. He chose the name Warriors. So, the name of the athletic teams was "the Warriors" in honor of the large number of our Native-Americans in the student body. It’s that simple.

From everything that I've heard or read on the topic, the high school administrators consulted the Pala tribe about the continued naming the school, the proper address, how to avoid insulting indigenous tribes, etc. The Pala Indians were honored to have the school named the Warriors.

Pala had said that the school mascot was always represented in a respectful manner. FUHS then decided to change the mascot to Tommy Hawk even though the Pala tribe had no issues with the continued use of the previous mascot. They also changed the drill flag team uniforms to be a more generic uniform and discontinued the beautiful headdress that the drum majorette wore.

FUHS has a great history. Starting with being the second oldest high school in San Diego County. In 1939, Fallbrook Union High School was rated the most outstanding high school in the country by Chicago Farm Foundation. In 1946, the State Department of Education rated Fallbrook to be the best small high school in California. The tradition of excellence and awards carries on today and with all alumni.

We are the Warriors…the mighty, mighty Warriors.

Arlene Anderson