BUCKLAND — Marking the conclusion of a years-long effort on Saturday, Mohawk Trail Regional School Class of 1978 Vice President Lisa Jablonski got emotional as she helped usher in a compassionate era for her alma mater.
Standing beside the school’s new “Class of 1978” mural in the gymnasium, Jablonski said that, “Through this new art, our Class of ’78 heart will forever remain, and for that, we are grateful.”
The mural, designed by Heath artist Jason Clark, was unveiled in a ceremony held between the women’s and men’s alumni basketball games. The simple, text-based piece replaces a mural that depicted the school’s former mascot: a Native American wearing a feathered headdress. Motivated by shifting views on Native American mascots and votes to change other such mascots in Franklin County schools, the Mohawk Trail Regional School District School Committee voted in May 2019 to remove the original artwork.
In a column run by the Greenfield Recorder in April 2019, Jablonski reflected on how her young class was “unaware” of the Native American mural’s implications when they “voted to bestow (their) school with what (they) thought was an amazing, honorable and beautiful gift.”
“I am not one to jump on the bandwagon without facts, so after I discovered the ’78 class gift was possibly being removed, I went searching,” she wrote. “After much researching of Native American misrepresentation, my eyes were opened to a past never realized by myself, and possibly by many others of my time. As with many pieces of American history, there were progressive intentions shrouded by ill impacts.”
In summer 2019, an Ad Hoc Mohawk Trail Regional School Art Subcommittee asked the community to weigh in on a replacement painting for the gymnasium. The school district originally suggested inclusion of the Deerfield River, but since then has veered away from that idea, opting to focus primarily on directly honoring the class whose gift had been taken away.
“Myself, the administration, we really thought it was important we did something for the Class of 1978, and that we recognize them and not let them be forgotten,” Athletic Director Greg Lilly told the crowd gathered on Saturday. “In my eyes and a lot of people’s eyes, the spot on the wall over there belongs to the Class of 1978 and that’s where (the mural is) going to go.”
“Thank you for your energy, for your enthusiasm, for your commitment to Mohawk Trail for everything it has been and everything it is going to be with you and with everyone who is here tonight,” Superintendent Sheryl Stanton told the Class of 1978. “You, today, represent the community and you represent courage as we move forward together.”
Despite there being conflicting opinions on the original mural’s removal, Jablonski said she thinks her class generally understands the importance of “preserving our past while respecting others.” For this reason, she said the new mural should be embraced.
“We can compromise,” she said. “In the beginning, when this all started, I knew there had to be a compromise. That’s the only way we’re going to move forward.”
Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.