Board approves lightning as Liberty High mascot

IOWA CITY - Lightning will be the mascot of the Iowa City Community School District's new Liberty High School, slated to open in August 2017 in North Liberty.

The school board on Tuesday approved the mascot and colors of purple, black and silver.

A 27-person committee of students, parents and district staff culled more than 70 suggestions gathered online to six finalists: titans, dragons, rebels, lightning, patriots and pride. They chose lightning because of the alliteration with Liberty and because the mascot is gender neutral, the group reported.

'You don't build a high school every day, and you don't get this chance every day,” said Deb Jesina, a committee member whose children graduated from the district's West High School.

The district wanted to choose the mascot and colors by the end of November so SVPA Architects can integrate them into the building design. Construction will begin next spring.