In a decision at the end of the 2020-21 school year which sparked massive debate, the Pascack Hills Cowboys and the Pascack Valley Indians were put to rest. While a student-led committee works on finding new alternatives to the old mascots, the students of Hills are left in limbo as the school searches for a new name.

Hills and Valley are not the only ones.

The previously named Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL) has decided to terminate both its problematic name and mascot, leaving dedicated fans to root for the aptly named Washington Football Team.

“I think it’s a good thing that they changed their name,” sophomore Shaan Dalal said. Dalal is an avid fan of football. “This will help them rebrand themselves.”

And yet, this lack of moniker that both the Football Team and Hills share does not equate to a lack of identity. The Washington Football Team struggled through personal trials this year, such as head coach Ron Rivera beating cancer as of Jan. 29, to quarterback Alex Smith breaking his leg in what appeared to be career-ending.

But through it all, the Washington Football Team prevailed to stand atop the East Conference of the NFL as champions. What their victory proves is that lack of name does not equal lack of identity.

“Although we have been without a mascot for the fall and winter sports seasons, I don’t believe that we struggled with our identity,” said Hills Athletic Director Phil Paspalas. “Even with countless new changes due to Covid-19, I have been proud of the work our athletes and coaches have done in practices and contests.”

Paspalas is spearheading Hills’ mascot search committee and has been working tirelessly with students and staff to try and find a new name for Hills’ mascot. In less than a month, a poll will be sent to the entire Hills community, where students and staff can vote for their favorite mascot out of three options.

Similar to Hills, the Washington Football Team will also be using a poll to determine their new name and mascot. Popular choices for a new name include the Red Wolves, Red Tails, and the Warriors.

Hills might currently be mascot-less, but Paspalas and students argue that a lack of name does not erase the decades of athletic history at the school. Even if it was under the late moniker of Cowboys, the spirit of victory still remains.

“The work of this [mascot] committee has shown me, as I look to retire in six months,” said Paspalas, “that Pascack Hills will continue to be a great place to work and learn for all.”