It's the Silverhawks and the colors are blue and silver

Students persuade school board to grant their wish of independence from high school

It wasn't an armed conflict and there was no shouting or yelling, yet three Gilford Middle School students made history and helped to shape the future of their school last night. Proudly, if not defiantly, the student council members told the school board at its meeting at Gilford Elementary that their classmates had decided and had sent the three leaders to declare independence from the high school, from which they had gained physical separation with the opening the new middle school building this year.

But for Ben Boudreau, Dan McLaughlin and Christian Bua — the three student representatives — the issue goes beyond a physical separation to one of creating a distinct identity. Telling school board members of a lengthy, democratic process in which middle school students participated to choose a new mascot and school colors, the three implored the board to approve their choice.

"We decided on the 'Silverhawks,'" Boudreau reported to the board, recounting for them the student body's desire to choose from a list of bird's of prey. The eighth grader was joined by seventh grader McLaughlin in explaining how the blue and silver colors were chosen to offer a distinction from the high school's blue and gold.

Noting that the final mascot had not been designed, Boudreau indicated that students would be involved in its creation. "We're holding a design contest," he told the board.

In an uncharacteristic response, the board moved instantly on a motion by Sue Allen to approve the middle school students' request. Voting unanimously in favor of the proposal, the board thanked the students and their advisor, Beth Zimmer, all of whom seemed surprised and gratified by the prompt action.