Shenendehowa News
It’s Official: Shen Mustangs
The Shenendehowa Board of Education has voted to adopt Mustangs as the district’s new mascot, closing a multi-year, community-driven search for a lasting symbol of student strength, pride, and spirit.
At a Board of Education meeting, the Board officially voted to adopt the Mustangs. The choice also aligns with new state regulations that prompted the district to move on from the Plainsmen nickname.
The final vote
Mustangs Won the Community Vote
After more than 1,000 initial survey submissions and a vetting process, three finalists went to a vote: Mustangs, Sentinels, and the 146ers.
Mustangs took 56.3% of the final vote and are now the official Shenendehowa mascot.
Both remained in the final three after the committee narrowed concepts from the broader community survey.
Nearly 2,700 students in grades 6-12, parents, staff, and community members cast ballots in the final vote.
Preserving Shen traditions
New Mascot. Same Shen Identity.
While the mascot name is changing, the district says its foundational identity remains strong: the iconic green and white color palette, official district logos, and the classic “Shen” script all stay.
In other words, this is a new chapter for Shen athletics and school spirit without starting from scratch.
And you may ask yourself..
Well, how did we get here?
In September 2024, the Shenendehowa Board of Education voted to discontinue the Plainsmen nickname.
The decision followed New York State Education Department rules requiring public schools to eliminate names, mascots and imagery associated with Indigenous people.
That set off a longer community process to choose an enduring replacement that still felt like Shen.
The name goes back decades
A Short History of Shen’s Identity
The district adopted the name Shenendehowa, based on the Iroquois word Shenondahowe, commonly translated as “Great Plains.” The Plainsmen nickname grew from that identity.
The district began phasing out caricature-style Indigenous imagery after concerns were raised about how it portrayed Native Americans.
A student-driven mascot process resulted in a horse, or stallion, becoming Shenendehowa’s athletics mascot.
The Board voted to discontinue the nickname and move forward under Shen branding while a replacement was considered.
After a four-stage community process and a final vote of nearly 2,700 participants, the Board of Education officially adopted Mustangs as the new mascot.
Driven by our community
A Four-Stage Process Led Locally
Athletics Director Lucas LaBarre and High School Principal Ron Agostinoni led the Mascot Committee through a thoughtful, four-stage process meant to involve the entire community.
The committee reviewed more than 1,000 initial survey submissions, vetted concepts, and brought three finalists to a districtwide vote: Mustangs, Sentinels, and the 146ers.
Mustangs emerged as the clear top choice with 56.3% of the final vote.
What is changing, and what is not
A New Nickname, Same District
Plainsmen is out. Mustangs is now the official Shenendehowa mascot.
Green and white colors, official district logos, and the classic “Shen” script remain.
Thank you for your partnership
Go Shen Mustangs
Thank you to every parent, guardian, and student who joined focus groups, shared ideas, and cast a vote. That engagement helped make sure the new mascot represents the heart of the school district.
Shenendehowa says it looks forward to celebrating this new era with families and cheering on the Shen Mustangs.
See Shenendehowa Board Updates
