- Previous story: Ypsilanti school colors to be black and Vegas gold; mascot selection delayed for student vote
Students from the Willow Run Community Schools and Ypsilanti Public Schools selected the Grizzlies to be the new mascot of the newly formed Ypsilanti Community Schools.
According to a statement from the Washtenaw Intermediate School District, more than 45 percent of students from the two school districts chose to become the Grizzlies. The other two options, Trailblazers and Flyers, received more than 30 percent and less than 20 percent, respectively.
Several focus groups were held with students with the assistance of the Eastern Michigan University Bright Futures program, the Safe and Supportive Schools program and the Neutral Zone, officials said.
“Students consistently expressed a desire to select a new mascot to represent Ypsilanti Community Schools,” the statement read.
The district's colors will be black and Vegas gold.
The new school district launches on July 1 and will be open to students in September. The district will be headed by WISD superintendent Scott Menzel.
The WISD will administer a $6 million state grant awarded to the new district to help with the expenses of unifying the two school districts. Part of that sum will be allocated for new uniforms and signs “that will assist with establishing the identity for the new district,” according to the statement.
Kyle Feldscher can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.