Bellefonte community members can now weigh in on what it means to be a ‘Red Raider’

Bellefonte Area School District released an online survey Friday for students, staff, alumni and community members to express what they think of the school’s moniker and image.

Following a January board meeting, the district reversed a previous decision to forgo Native American imagery and the remove “red” from the district’s controversial nickname.

“In light of the recent discussions throughout Bellefonte Area School District about the Red Raiders nickname and image, it may be the proper time to examine the overall identity of our schools,” the survey states.

The survey includes six questions meant to gauge common what the community thinks about the district’s image.

• In a sentence, explain what it means to be a “Red Raider.”
• What are the positive traits and attributes of an actual “Red Raider” that you think everyone involved with the district should embody?
• If there is one word that you hope describes the culture in our district, what word would you choose?
• What is one thing that you feel separates Bellefonte from surrounding schools?
• What is it about being a “Red Raider” that elicits so much emotion within our community?
• After processing the conversations surrounding our current “Red Raider” nickname and image, what are the ideas and opinions you would like to share?

All responses will be anonymous and managed only by John Jenson, a branding and identity consultant working with the district.

The board’s vice-president Jon Guizar stressed during a board meeting Wednesday that the survey is not a vote on the district’s logo.

“Anyone with an opinion that’s tied to our district is encouraged to complete this survey,” Guizar said during the meeting. “...It’s one thing to find who you are but it’s another thing to find the truth behind that and live who you are.”

The survey will be open until April 19, but the board may extend the survey depending on participation. Anyone without digital access should reach out to the district for help completing the survey, Guizar said.