I'm losing a little piece of me...

Yesterday was a sad day for me. In this day and age of political correctness, I became directly affected. I had known for the past month or so that my former school district in the city where I grew up was going to be voting on possibly changing my high school mascot from the Apaches to who knows what. That vote happened last night and the vote was that the Apache was to go as a mascot.

Logo for the group fighting to change the VSHS mascot.

Now I get it, I really do, but I can see both sides not just one. Yes, I suppose that there could be instances where the use of this particular mascot could be seen as detrimental towards the Apache Nation but that had not been my experience at all when I was in school. The way I see it is that these types of mascots symbolize the history of our nation and in a day and age when cultural learning is limited (yes, it happens in the Filipino community as well) I see it as a way of extending the recognition of the Apache Nation.

Apache mascot circa mid-80's/early 90's.

Apache drawing (by a student) used for our senior pages
in my 1982 yearbook (when I graduated).

Now, maybe things have changed since I was in high school some 30+ years ago. Back then we were proud to be "Apaches." Heck, I even dropped out of the gifted program just so I could be a part of the Apache Marching Band, one of the winning-est bands in a school our size in the state of California. Being an Apache was a source of pride for us, school spirit was through the roof. No, we didn't have a mascot who was a caricature/comic style but rather our mascot was a student dressed in maybe not so traditional Native American garb. I don't remember if it was accurate attire, in fact I doubt it was, but then again I don't think that it was a derogatory representation of the Apache Nation either.

Apache mascot circa late 90's/2000's.
I believe that this was a student drawing.

Life size Apache warrior carved from one of the oldest trees on campus.
I can't recall if it was brought down by disease or construction where it stood.

One of the arguments was that Native American students would be afraid to admit to their heritage for fear of being ridiculed. I have no idea what the population of Native Americans, particularly Apache, were in school when I was there but I did have a friend from band who was not shy about his Native American roots and he was never made fun of that I am aware.

Yes, times have changed and who knows what goes on nowadays. But no matter what I'm still sad. When I go home I'll have lost part of my identity. Do I continue to say that I graduated from Vallejo High as an Apache or will I have to adopt the new mascot (yet to be determined) to still identify with the school? Truthfully, I feel like I'm losing part of my own identity. But sei la vie...whatever will be will be.

I will forever be a Vallejo High Apache.

Nike Women's 26.2/13.1 - San Francisco Registration

Well, today is the day that thousands of women around the US and probably the world have been waiting for. The Nike Womens Marathon random draw and college student program registration is open. You can click on the image below to go to the registration page.

This is the 10th Anniversary of this race, should be something special.
You always get a Tiffany's necklace at the finish line rather than a medal!

Once you click the link you'll be asked to sign into your Nike+ account or to set up and account.

Now, there are 3 different ways to enter:

First select whether you are:

• Invited
• College Program entry 
• Random Draw.

1. Invited : I'm assuming that these are the elites, VIPs, etc.

2. College Program: Must the a full time student
    (undergrads typically 12 units; grad/post-grad 9 units).

3. Random draw entry: You are placing your name into the lottery or with a  
    group.

Prices are as follows:

College Program - $150 for either full or half
Group/Individual Random Draw - $200 for marathon
Group/Individual Random Draw - $175 for the half marathon

Remember, you cannot register for both the group and individual random draw. You can only register for one or the other. If registering with a group, you will be asked for the group name and a password...who ever is setting up the group should have this information.

One last thing, if you join with a group only one entry goes in for the group but all participants in the group will be able to run the race. For instance, your group leader name goes in and gets picked the whole group participates.

That should be it other than entering your personal information and a credit card number. You will not be charged unless you or your group are drawn.

Good Luck!