Shenendehowa News
Shen Leaning Towards.. Mustangs
Shenendehowa’s debated search for a new nickname appears to be getting closer to the finish line, with Mustangs emerging as the leading option in August.
Athletic Director and Mascot Committee co-chair Lucas LaBarre said there are no plans to return to the Plainsmen name, while emphasizing that Shen’s broader identity will continue regardless of which new nickname is selected.
Where things stand
Final Contestants
By August 17 and 18, the mascot selection process had narrowed to two primary choices: Mustangs and Sentinels.
The name connects naturally with the horse imagery Shenendehowa athletics has already used for more than two decades.
Sentinels remained part of the narrowed-down discussion presented during the August Board of Education process.
The name 146ers has also appeared in some coverage of the selection process, but Mustangs and Sentinels were the two choices receiving the most attention during the August discussion.
Don’t shoot the messenger
Last Time We Posted..
Hey, the last time we posted about this we got a lot of hate emails! We don’t make any official decisions here at Clifton Park Spark.
We’re just giving you the facts, agenda-free and paywall-free <3
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.
Old Shenendehowa yearbooks documented earlier logos and oversized mascot costumes depicting stereotypical Native American imagery. Because the Plainsmen nickname had historically been used alongside that imagery, it became part of the district’s review under the state rules.
![Old Shen mascot](/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/shen-old-mascot.webp")
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 months of committee work, Mustangs and Sentinels emerged as finalists, with Mustangs appearing to have the strongest momentum in August.
The selection process
A Community Committee Has Been Working on It
The district did not immediately replace Plainsmen with another nickname.
A representative mascot committee made up of students, parents, employees, alumni and other members of the Shenendehowa community has been involved in evaluating options since late 2025.
The findings and latest options were brought into the Board of Education discussion in August 2026.
What is changing, and what is not
A New Nickname, Same District
The Plainsmen name is being replaced with a new nickname.
The district name, Shen identity and long-established green and white colors remain.
What happens next
No Final Nickname Yet
As of this post, Shenendehowa had not officially announced a final replacement for Plainsmen.
Mustangs appears to be the leading option, but residents, parents, students and alumni should continue watching upcoming Board of Education updates for the final decision.
So.. Follow Board Updates
