Harrison elementary welcomes Harrier Hawk

Harrison Elementary School has gone to the birds -- sort of.

The school recently named the Harrier Hawk to be the school mascot. The school has been known as the Harrison Hurricanes for 25+ years, but after the flood of 2008, the symbol no longer seemed appropriate.

The flood displaced about 1,800 students in the Cedar Rapids school district and affected many more.

About half of Harrison's population was impacted by the flood.

"We felt that identifying a new mascot would be a great way for our students and families to mark the new beginning after the flood," said Loan Arkenberg, a teacher at Harrison and coordinator of the school mascot project. "The hurricane mascot conjured up memories of the water-related disaster."

The entire school was involved in the new mascot process. A committee brainstormed ideas and researched the school's mascot history. Through the research, the committee found that the 1931 school mascot was the image of a child and the community was known as the Harrison Hermies.

The long list of possibilities was eventually condensed. To be on the final ballot, the mascot name had to represent the spirit of the Harrison  neighborhood and be something student could relate to. The choices included the Hawks, the Falcons, the Jaguars and the Panthers. Students then voted for their favorite or submitted their own suggestions.

"Some fun and creative write-ins included the Harrison Hippos, Heores and Huskies," Arkenberg said.

Harrier Hawk won by a landslide.

Designed by art teacher Renee Reedich, the new school mascot is a black and red hawk with silver tips, posed in a strong and ready position. His wings are spread out wide and his talons hold a banner that reads "Harrier Hawks."

School computer screens boast the new logo, and T-shirts are available for students, staff, parents and the community.