Less than a year after WCA was founded, some of its first students met to decide several important things that would decide the future of the school; the school colors and the mascot. While the color combination that they chose, blue and white, was acceptable, they chose a most bland and boring nickname for the school; the Wildcats.
The “Wildcats” is the fifth most common high school nickname in the United States, trailing only the “Eagles,” the “Tigers,” the “Panthers,” and the “Bulldogs.” 671 schools across the United States use “Wildcats” as their school mascots. The fact that “Wildcats” is a very common and unoriginal school nickname is reason enough to use a different one.
However, most good high school nicknames come from something to do with the background of the school or from the school’s name. For example, students at Lindbergh High School in South County are nicknamed the “Flyers,” after famous aviator Charles Lindbergh. Students at Roosevelt High School in South City are nicknamed the “Roughriders,” after the cavalry unit that the school’s namesake Theodore Roosevelt led during the Spanish-American War. Westminster would do well to adopt a nickname that embraces its background like these schools do.
As WCA is a Christian school, it would make sense for there to be a Christian-themed nickname. However, there are some overused Christian nicknames too. “Crusaders” is an oft-overused nickname that can carry negative connotations due to the fact that the original crusaders were in fact Christians who invaded the Middle East during the Middle Ages, killing thousands of innocent people. “Crusaders” is also not advisable as the nickname for WCA because it is the nickname of WCA’s rival Lutheran North. Other Christian themed nicknames are two overused, such as “Saints” and “Knights,” While others such as “Disciples” are somewhat underwhelming. WCA could also use a nickname that stems from “Westminster.” WCA is named for the Westminster Confession of Faith, which was drafted to be the basis of doctrine for the Church of England in 1646.
Other nicknames come from something to do with the background of the city. East St. Louis High School’s nickname is “Flyers,” to represent the role that the St. Louis area had in the early days of aviation. Nicknames like this help connect the school to the culture and history of the city and area. With these considerations in mind, here are my top three nicknames for WCA.
3. The Explorers
This nickname has a great connection to the St. Louis area. The famous explorers Lewis and Clark began and ended their famous expedition of what is currently the western United States in the St. Louis area. French explorer Jacques Marquette also explored the region in the mid-1600’s. Thus, this nickname would fit WCA well.
2. The Friars and The Sisters
Friars are members of certain religious orders in the Middle ages. They are known for helping the poor more than ordinary monks and for taking vows of poverty themselves. “Friars” would thus work well as a nickname for the WCA boys’ teams because it would capture the attitude of selflessness that Christians should have. A major drawback is that there is no female equivalent to “Friars” except for “Sisters” or “Nuns,” which are not exactly the greatest or most intimidating nicknames ever. Also, the name “Friars” in and of itself does not have the intimidation factor commonly desired in a high school nickname.
1. The Templars
The Knights Templar was an order of monks that protected Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land from marauders and bandits after the Crusaders took Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. While they did participate in the Crusades, their role was more to defend the innocent then to attack others because of religious zeal. Since they were knights, it is an intimidating enough nickname to be used at WCA. It is also one of the most original nicknames possible. Manti High School, a public school in Utah, is currently the only high school in the United States to be nicknamed the “Templars.”
