Oklahoma Institute for Diversity in Journalism

Native American-themed mascots falling from one Capitol Hill to another

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Renewed debate about Native American-themed mascots is rippling from the Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to the one in Oklahoma City. Prompted in part by the legal fight to force the renaming of Washington’s National Football League team, school mascots are getting attention from the public, and questions as to whether or not schools should change those mascots are asked more frequently. Closer to home and after weeks of controversial debate, Capitol Hill High School this spring abandoned the Redskins nickname its sports team had played under for 88 years. “We started to notice that schools in other surrounding areas…

Isabelle Ruiz

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Throughout her life, Isabelle Ruiz, 17, a senior at Del City High School, has fought adversity head-on and stayed calm under pressure. She remains positive despite many life-changing experiences. When Ruiz was 7, Aaron Brooks, her 1-year-old half-brother, was hit on the back of the head as he crawled under a car that started moving. “Luckily, he was still young so he bounced back and made a full recovery,” Ruiz said. “Now, he’s one of the smartest kids I know.” That year, Ruiz also dealt with the death of a relative for the first time. One night, her uncle George’s…

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