February 12, 2009

Boulder High School To Be Renamed Barack Obama High School?

**Update 6: Welcome Hot Air readers!

**Update 5: Video update on withdrawal of name-change petition

**Update 4: BO no go at Boulder High--Student Council says "No You Can't":
The leader of a group of students who has proposed changing the name of Boulder High School to Barack Obama High School said this afternoon the group is backing off the plan.

Ben Raderstorf is president of the Student Worker Club, the 12-member group behind the attempted change.

He had called a news conference for 3:30 today, but he said this afternoon that he plans to announce an end to the effort because of a lack of support.

Earlier today the Boulder High Student Council released a statement saying "the majority of the student body is in favor of keeping the name, Boulder High School."

"We are glad that Boulder High students feel comfortable expressing their opinions," the statement said, "but we are proud of our school and feel that a name change would diminish the lengthy and rich history of our school."
**Update 3:Boulder High School students not garnering much support from commenters or online polls



**Update 2: (video removed)

**Update--Students explain the desired change:
"It's not so much about him, but honoring the steps we've made and how much more progressive our country has become now that he's president," said Ben Raderstorf, 16, a Boulder High junior. "He is everything we would like to reflect. In honoring him, we can inspire and bring together our community."

Raderstorf is with the Boulder High-based student activist club, Student Worker, which in 2007 launched a protest against the Pledge of Allegiance and rewrote the words. The group is planning to host a news conference at the school at 3:30 p.m. Thursday to announce their proposal to change the school's name.

Raderstorf said he expects a big turnout.

"We think it will be accepted by almost everyone," he said.
The principal at Boulder HS isn't so sanguine, and rejects the name change for a variety of reasons:
"Boulder High is the oldest accredited high school in the state of Colorado — it's an institution," Jenkins said. "Of all the things in the world that need to be changed, Boulder High's name is way down on the list."

Jenkins said he thinks the students will find the process of changing a school's name "laborious," and doesn't see the proposal going anywhere.

"And, with all due respect to the president, typically you don't name buildings after sitting presidents," he said.

Jenkins said thousands of people have graduated from Boulder High School, and it has a rich history that doesn't need an asterisk.

"It's the flagship of the school district," he said. "It's Boulder High School, and I'm damn proud of it."
A visit from the Obamamessiah's local goon squad, youth division, should be expected.

The young Marxist continues:
Raderstorf said he expects some people, at first, to think the change is "out there." But, Raderstorf said, Obama "is the president now," and lots of schools have been named after presidents.

"This is no different than naming a school after Lincoln or Washington or Roosevelt," he said. "There's an Eisenhower Elementary here in Boulder."
Hey genius, are any of the others sitting presidents? Or have you spent more time in history class learning trendy social theories and lessons of the oppressed from the likes of Zinn?

Either way, "extraordinary circumstances" would be required to ultimately change the name by the Board of Education.

Boulder High School Marxist student group wants to change the name of their school to Barack Obama High School.

His sky-high approval ratings are dropping like a rock from the transition period levels, but students in Boulder, Colorado still hold the new President in high esteem:
BOULDER, Colo. — A student group is organizing to change the name of Boulder High School to Barack Obama High School.

The group Student Worker, a student-based activist club at Boulder High School, is planning to host a news conference at 3:30 p.m. Thursday to announce the campaign.

"We initiate this campaign in order to honor the momentous achievement of his election as an African-American, inspire the community with his ideals of unity and hope, and reflect the progressive spirit that is shared by both Barack Obama and our school environment," the group said in a news release.

The news conference will be held at Boulder High School, Room 153, at 1604 Arapahoe Ave. The conference is open to the public.
Student Worker, eh? We've seen the little Marxists before . . . ah yes, the alternative pledge of allegiance:
"I pledge of allegiance to the flag and my constitutional rights with which it comes. And to the diversity, in which our nation stands, one nation, part of one planet, with liberty, freedom, choice and justice for all."
Boulder's Daily Camera commenters have many alternative names prepared, just in case.

Drunkablog says BOHS will be next to Lenin Junior High.

Exit question--a new name requires a new mascot. Hope'n'changers?

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