Shenendehowa Makes Mustangs Official After Community Vote

Say Hello to the Shen Mustangs

After years of discussion, Shenendehowa officially has a new mascot.

The Shenendehowa Board of Education has officially adopted “Mustangs” as the district's new nickname, replacing the longtime Plainsmen name. And while the Mustangs won by a community vote, social media reactions suggest not everyone is ready to saddle up just yet.

The change follows the Shenendehowa Board of Education's September 2024 vote to discontinue the Plainsmen nickname. The decision followed New York State Education Department regulations regarding public school names, mascots, and imagery associated with Indigenous people.

That began a lengthy search for a replacement.

According to Clifton Park Spark, more than 1,000 initial suggestions were submitted before the field was eventually narrowed to three finalists: Mustangs, Sentinels and 146ers.

Nearly 2,700 students in grades 6-12, parents, staff, and community members participated in the final vote, and "Mustangs" won with 56.3 percent of the vote.

Reaction on Social Media Was Mixed

Reaction on social media following the announcement was decidedly mixed, with a LOT of longtime Shen graduates making essentially the same declaration:

“Always the Plainsmen.”

“Plainsmen always and forever.”

“They'll always be the Plainsmen to me.”

Others questioned why the change was necessary, while some wondered how much replacing uniforms, merchandise, and other Plainsmen branding could ultimately cost.

There were positive reactions as well, including people who said they loved the new Mustangs name and others who defended the district's decision to move forward.

And here's the thing: I wonder if ANY replacement would have made everybody happy.

Mustangs Over Sentinels and 146ers

Mustangs could have lost to Sentinels or 146ers (the two other names suggested), and I'm guessing we'd still be having this conversation. For many alumni, this probably isn't really about whether “Mustangs” is a good mascot; it's about losing “Plainsmen,” which many seem emotionally attached to.

The district, meanwhile, says much of the familiar Shen identity isn't going anywhere. The green and white colors remain, along with the official district logos and classic “Shen” script.