Controversial School Nickname Under Review
The Long Island School Board is set to make a decision on Tuesday regarding the contentious Native American nickname. Many community members are resistant to changing it.
The Connetquot school district has been taken to court by New York officials, prompting discussions on whether to keep their current name, Thunderbirds, or accept a compromise that would shorten it to “T-Birds.”
Jacqueline DiLorenzo, a board member and supporter of the Thunderbird name, mentioned, “There have never been any complaints about the name before all this started. People take pride in it. You can see it during our games and in the stands.”
Initially, state officials aimed to eliminate the name entirely, but, after the Trump administration began advocating for the protection of Native American school names, the compromise surfaced.
Jaquelin Napolitano Fano, a board member who retired recently after six years, remarked, “The state has denied this several times, not just once or twice.”
The nickname has received significant backing from survey respondents in the local Suffolk County area.
DiLorenzo criticized the board for overlooking community input, saying, “They ignore the community,” while supporters like Napolitano Fano share this sentiment.
The district discreetly allocated $23 million for a rebranding campaign, while publicly fighting to keep the Thunderbird name.
Opponents of the proposed name change, including DiLorenzo, are puzzled by the perception that “Thunderbirds” is offensive, while “T-Birds” isn’t viewed the same way.
New York’s stance shifted to approve the “T-Birds” nickname after intervention from education secretary Linda McMahon, who deemed the ban a violation of civil rights targeting a specific ethnic group. She also initiated an investigation with the Department of Justice in June.
The Native American Guardians Association, a pro-Trump group, recently urged the district to maintain the name, asserting it’s not derogatory.
“Adhering to this regulation amounts to cultural censorship and systemic racism,” the group asserted, having collaborated with McMahon at Massapequa High School to announce Title VI survey results.
Oliver Roberts, representing the group, indicated they would sue the district if the contract is finalized.
According to him, both the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Justice could take legal action against the district.
DiLorenzo expressed concern, asking, “Why are we likely to exchange two more lawsuits?” She highlighted potential costs to the community.
Controversy Continues
McMahon noted that addressing issues with teams like Connetquot and Massapequa is of “top priority” for federal authorities.
DiLorenzo also contested President Marisol Maron’s assertion that the settlement name doesn’t violate Title VI, saying there hasn’t been any such ruling.
Maron claimed he consulted their legal team regarding Title VI issues during the meeting.
Meanwhile, Massapequa School Board Chairman Kelly Wachter criticized Maron’s statements, questioning how such a false assertion could go unchallenged.
