1100+ Hampton Middle School students choose colors and mascot

More than 1,100 student ballots picked the mascot and colors to shape the identity of the soon-to-be rededicated George M. Hampton Middle School.

The process was modeled on the approach used to make selections for the soon-to-open Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School.

Since the middle school is already in operation, a committee of current students initially identified dozens of proposed color combinations and potential mascots, before narrowing the choices to three of each.

Votes were cast by rising seventh and eight graders, who will attend Hampton for the 2016-17 school year, as well as by fifth grade students headed to the middle school from Bel Air, Dale City, Fitzgerald, Minneville and Neabsco Elementary Schools.

“They decided to become ‘the Huskies,’ and they picked the blue and black,” said Principal Jehovanni Mitchell. “It’s important that their choices make the George M. Hampton Middle School feel like their school.”

Another important part of that transition is slated for June, when students who don’t already know him will get to meet the community leader and philanthropist who is lending his name to the school. George Hampton’s example is meant to inspire students to follow their own paths of learning and service that contribute to the community.

The official ribbon cutting for the George M. Hampton Middle School is set for Thursday, Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. Classes for the 2016-17 school year begin on Aug. 29.