When first walking into the thundering Friends Select School gymnasium, the symbol of the Falcon stands out among the rest of the school banners. The chants of the basketball team echo off the walls as a student in the Falcon costume dances in the center of the court. But what is it that makes the Falcon such an important part of FSS as a school?
There is a long history behind high school mascots in the United States, dating back to the Civil War. While battles raged, soldiers in regiments often lost spirit watching the horrors unfold in front of them. Because of this, regiments had mascots. The mascot’s main purpose was to energize and reinvigorate the troops through a figure they could rally behind. After the Civil War, these mascots were not discarded; rather, they transitioned to representing sports teams. This was a logical segue, since the mascots had engendered interstate competition during the war. According to “Why do schools have mascots?”, a 2010 article written by Angela Spivey of Penn State University, “Illinois College’s teams are known as ‘The Blueboys,’ or ‘The Lady Blues,’ nicknames that began when many of the college’s students volunteered for the blue-uniformed Union army.” These mascots were generally connected to regiments that originated around the school or area, but they can also be formed or connected to the state itself, along with the schools.
For Friends Select, the Falcon carries on the tradition of inspiring achievement and boosting school spirit. Bill Klose, Friends Select’s director of athletics, believes that the Falcon stands as a symbol of pride and inclusion in the Friends Select community. Tina Dougherty, Friends Select’s associate director of marketing, creative, and visual communications, agrees, stating, “The Falcon represents focus, drive, and a competitive edge. It’s a symbol of precision and resilience.” These factors all play into what makes the Falcon such a core brand asset to the school.
The Falcon has a significant impact on all Friends Select events and the school’s marketing department. In an interview, Tina stated, “The Falcon is a core brand asset; it gives the school a consistent, recognizable identity across athletics, admissions, and campus life.” This consistency is most clearly displayed through the Falcon’s constant presence throughout the school. The Falcon logo in the gymnasium and the stuffed animals placed around offices are all examples of the brand being proudly exhibited. Tina stated that the marketing team attempts to place images of the Falcon wherever it is fitting to maximize the symbol’s impact. Additional examples of the Falcon’s utility are during the school’s annual Spring Fair and Falcon Fest, where the Falcon can be seen parading around the school, fostering school spirit.
The Falcon is a daily presence in FSS student life; however, Tina believes there is more work to be done. When asked what more FSS could do to whip up school spirit, Tina stated that “student-generated content, posts featuring the Falcon that help drive game attendance, promote events, or even support initiatives like the FSS Community Pantry” were all steps the school and students could take to employ the Falcon image to a greater extent. Across all these events and displays, it’s clear that the Falcon is fundamental to the school and makes Friends Select, Friends Select.
Given the Falcon’s role as a team mascot, speaking with members of the athletics department is imperative to understanding its true meaning and symbolism. Bill emphasized the importance of the Falcon at sports games. He said, “The Falcon is the first thing parents see when walking into a sporting event.” The brand is intrinsically bound to these teams; they go hand in hand. Part of this connection stems from the inclusivity the Falcon represents. For example, some teams say “come on girls/guys” but these terms don’t lend themselves to including members of the community who do not identify within those constricting boundaries. The Falcon overhauls this entire way of thinking by including all students in one cohesive group, free of gender specificity: the Falcons. Bill feels that the athletics department is on a positive course for the utilization of the Falcon. The Falcon brand is synonymous with the school’s sports teams, from the “1, 2, 3 Falcons!” chant to the gold and brown jerseys, everything screams FALCONS!
The Falcon is not only the image of Friends Select but also the soul of the school as a whole. The Falcon serves as a reminder of our values, a symbol to rally behind, and an ideal way to represent the school.
