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JULY 14, 2000

A petition drive sponsored by Bettie Hettis McLaughlin, a graduate of the Southern Cayuga High School, opposes dropping the "Chiefs" mascot from the school.

McLaughlin began her petition, which has collected 150 signatures, in response to Chandell Matzen, a senior at the school and a member of the Seneca Nation, who asked the school board to consider dropping the name.

Matzen said the name is offensive but McLaughlin says it's not. She said "Chief" refers not to just Native Americans but to perhaps the chief executive of a company, despite the fact that the school's logo is that of an Indian chief's head.

McLaughlin is also supported by her husband, another alumnus, and her son, a current student.

Get the Story:
Petition backs 'Chiefs' mascot (The Syracuse Newspapers 7/14)