Pinellas’ Dixie M. Hollins High School has announced that it’s now to be referred to as “Hollins High.” The school, located at 4940 62nd St. N. in St. Petersburg, made the announcement on Monday, and while the name change isn’t official, the change is significant in that students and the community at large have had issues with the word “Dixie” being attached to the institution.
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In addition to the unofficial name change, is an official change of the mascot from the "Rebels" to the "Royals." Bay News 9 says the school colors will stay blue and white and that the students are voting on a new logo. A new marquee, signage and social media updates are also in the works.
The school was named after the county’s first superintendent, the progressive Dixie M. Hollins who advocated for Black students’ equal rights. But as Hollins’ great-granddaughter told CL, “The fact that [he] advocated for access to a better education for Black students back in the early 20th century underscores the irony that his first name is a word associated with racism.”
Cox connected with Principal Robert Florio hoping to form a partnership, and hoping to provide history to the students and the school on the progressive triumphs of her great-grandfather.
“I feel emotional and honored that they care enough to keep his last name and we hope to provide more history to the school,” Cox told CL in July. “This school deserves to have the opportunity to rebrand—they're working so hard to be an inclusive school and they’ve done so much work toward that.”
Consider it done.
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