McDaniel High mascot will be Mountain Lions

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, April 13, 2021

The Mountain Lion will come growling into Leodis V. McDaniel High School as the school’s new mascot.

“I love that mountain lions are indigenous to this area. I love the values that they represent,” said Michelle DePass, a Portland Public Schools Board of Education member.

“A great choice,” said Scott Bailey, another school board member.

Madison High School was formally renamed Leodis V. McDaniel High School in February and the McDaniel community then began looking to replace its old mascot, the Senators, with something new.

A committee of students, staff, parents and community members worked to come up with the new mascot. They sorted through 518 initial nominations, did several surveys and the Mountain Lion came out on top.

Although mountain lions roam the Pacific Northwest, this will be the first time it has been used as a mascot name for high school school in the state.

The Portland Public Schools Board of Education approved the change at a meeting Tuesday, April 13.

The cost for signs logos and other materials in the mascot switch is roughly $350,000, part of which will be paid for by a construction bond. The school on 82nd Avenue is being substantially remodeled with bond funds.

“The Mountain Lion emphasizes leadership, strength, courage, integrity and power,” school board documents said.

“Mountain Lions do not have to lead through force, but rather through a graceful strength of example. The symbolism of a Mountain Lion indicates leadership,” the documents aid.

“Sounds like a winning sports team,” said DePass.