May 2, 1998
Well, we now have a name for Katy ISD's fourth high school. I can't say I'm all that surprised — "Cinco Ranch High" is actually rather logical, considering its location and the fact that realtors were already calling High School IV that in their Internet advertising, anyway.
There were a lot of other names entertained; in addition to the many fine former KISD educators and famous Americans whose names were considered, Board of Trustees VP Joe Kimmel also noted that a lot of current KISD students also submitted their own names. Humbly, no doubt.
(Behind the scenes, I was secretly lobbying for "Ann Richards High," but I don't think it got much consideration. Obviously, these folks have no sense of tongue-in-cheek.)
Now that we have a name for the school, though, it's time to hunt down a mascot. That, as we all know, is the single most important defining factor in establishing a school's image.
In keeping with the Cinco Ranch image, I think we need something unique, grandiose and flashy.
For starters, let's be aware that girls' sports will earn headlines, and be on-guard against mistakes made by other Texas locales. For all that it's a Hutto tradition, for example, I can't help but giggling every time I hear the Lady Hippos are in the playoffs.
Rule out elephants, whales, cattle and dogs of various sorts. Maybe it's just me, but seeing "Lady 'Dogs" in a headline would be real offensive if my kid was on the team. And what the heck is a "Lady Bull?"
I guess we could consider different male and female mascots, but that'd sure hike uniform costs.
We should also avoid derogatory, socioeconomic- or class-conscious names. I've heard snyde suggestions floating in from the lower-rent venues already for "Snobs," "Yuppies," "Fat Cats" and "Capitalist Oppressors of the Working Class." I'll hazard a guess that most of those suggestions come from the areas which got re-zoned last year.
With apologies to the Tigers, Mustangs and Rams, some animals tend to get over-represented as mascots. From a writer's viewpoint, it's a hassle getting the IDs right when Taylor plays Memorial or Lamar Consolidated, to use just one example.
Certain historical/ethnic-based mascots are out, too. They just don't sound right: "Cinco Ranch Vikings," "Cinco Ranch Highlanders," "Cinco Ranch Trojans/Spartans/Macedonians" and "Cinco Ranch Samurai" just don't fit.
There are a number of other generic human and technological mascots which might fit, were they not already in use. No Cowboys, Rangers, Knights, Rockets, Comets, Astronauts, Crusaders or Raiders.
Various types of fowl could, I guess, be considered. "Eagles" has been taken by Faith West Academy, but Hawks, Ravens, Ducks, Wild Geese, Falcons, Owls, Prairie Chickens, Cardinals and Storks are open. The Ducks, Prairie Chickens or Wild Geese might even be appopriate, given the close proximity of the disappearing Katy Prairie.
Given the Hispanic flavor of the Cinco Ranch name, I think we could also give consideration to various Spanish terms. "Quesadillas" and "Chimichangas" spring to mind — but then again, I'm writing this at lunch time, and Los Cucos is really close by.
Along that line I'd like to suggest a mascot which is unique, grandiose and flashy, and has a real Tex-Mex connection. It's one which immediately brings to mind ferocity, cunning and agility — something we want in a mascot.
Think of it: the Cinco Ranch Chihuahuas.
Oh, come on, admit it: you knew
I was drifting in that direction.