It was a day of celebration for Highland Park ISD’s newest Scots, one that began in the morning with pom poms, bagpipe music, and cheers, then continued in the cafeteria with speeches, claps, and helpful advice.
“What you’re joining as a Scot is nationally and state recognized,” boys middle school athletic coordinator Brady Thomas told students on Sept. 1, which was We Are Scots Day at McCulloch Intermediate School and Highland Park Middle School. “It’s a burden to bear. It’s a weight and should be a weight. But it’s also something you should be proud of.”
The fifth through eighth graders were marking what may be the first mascot change in their schools’ history. The MIS/HPMS Raider was replaced at the start of this school year by the fierce Scot, who also represents Highland Park High School. The schools’ red and gold colors were switched to blue and gold, which all the students interviewed by Park Cities People called a win for the campus.
The mascot move hasn’t just brightened the schools’ hallways — it’s also built community spirit and heightened students’ pride in their school, explained HPMS principal Stefanie Powell.
“It’s unified the whole community,” she said. “We feel the support from parents. The teachers are excited, and I’m just excited for that to continue through this year and beyond.”
Powell added that students are taking their new status as Scots seriously, understanding that their actions reflect on the Scots’ legacy and entire school district.
On We Are Scots Day, students arrived at MIS/HPMS wearing blue and gold shirts and were greeted by enthusiastic cheerleaders, football players, and student council representatives.
During lunchtime talks, coaches and administrators told each class of students more about Highland Park’s standard of excellence and their responsibility to maintain it.
“We have a long, storied history of being great in Highland Park, but now it’s your turn as a Scot to build on this brand of excellence,” athletic director Jeremy Gilbert told seventh graders. “Whenever our schedule comes out, everybody always circles Highland Park when they play us, because they want to beat us. And they want to beat us because they know how excellent we are in everything that we do.”
Student council members spoke about their connections to the Scots legacy and the opportunities that come with being a student in Highland Park, then circulated to answer questions from younger students.
Eighth-grader Winn Jackson said that he’s a third-generation Scot; his grandfather, father, uncle, and two big brothers have all been Highland Park students.
“Being a Scot is very important to me, not only because of my family tradition, but also because of the legacy Highland Park represents. One of my favorite quotes is ‘Scotties find a way,’” he explained. “Being a Scot means we are engaged in becoming servant leaders with a winning attitude and a tradition of excellence in all things. ‘Once a Scot, always a Scot.’”
We Are Scots Day was made possible by the support of title sponsor The McCauley Co. It was organized by the principals of MIS and HPMS, along with the schools’ parent teacher organization, including Raising Scots co-chairs Andrea Cheek, Laura McCallan, Katie Patterson, and Jane Wallingford.
Middle schoolers noted that the change had one more benefit —it turned them into not only the first middle school Scots, but also the final group of Raiders.
“We only try hard at everything we do,” seventh-grader Cameron O’Neal said. “And we love the pride of being Scots!”
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