Saddened by OFA’s team name change

Dear Editor,

I spent time in Owego recently visiting my family. I was saddened to see that there is a consideration on the table to change OFA’s team name from the Indians to the Arrowheads (or whatever). Many comments in the Pennysaver expressed disappointment, pointing out that an arrowhead is a weapon, and in this day and age a weapon might not be the best choice for a team name. I agree!

That glorious statue that has stood in the halls of OFA for many years, the Native American man seated on his horse, with his arms outstretched to the sky, is a source of pride for every student who has passed through the halls of our high school for almost 100 years! How could that statue be considered offensive in any way?

There is an alternative to changing the name entirely. The “fight song” that accompanies OFA (which hasn’t been sung at least since my time at OFA in the 1970’s) is offensive and time worn. What if OFA creates a song writing “contest” to replace the old and unsung song to reflect a more positive and appreciative attitude towards our town’s Native American history and our celebrated statue that represents them? This would serve to maintain our OFA pride AND would be much less costly to the town’s taxpayers for the money required to change the name entirely.

Sincerely,

Ann Hartman Buckley

OFA Class of ’77