Need an account? Print and web subscribers If you're a print and web subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one. Online-only subscribers If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site. Non-subscribers Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber. Editorial Time for the Bushmen to embrace the future Posted Thursday, October 30, 2025 For generations, Pine Bush High School students have carried the “Bushmen” banner with pride. But when current students—the very people who wear the uniform, cheer in the stands, and represent their school in competition—raise concerns about their own mascot, we owe them more than nostalgia. We owe them a thoughtful hearing. The student representatives who brought this proposal to the Board of Education deserve credit for their courage and civic engagement. They’ve sparked exactly the kind of community dialogue that strengthens schools and towns alike. This isn’t about erasing history; it’s about writing the next chapter with intention. Let’s be honest: the “Bushmen” mascot has grown increasingly awkward. A Fred Flintstone-style caveman may have seemed harmless decades ago, but it lacks the dignity and forward-thinking spirit we want our students to embody. More problematic still was the “Lady Bushmen” designation for girls’ teams—a linguistic contortion that inadvertently suggested female athletes were an afterthought rather than equal competitors. Our young women athletes deserve better than to be grammatical footnotes. Change need not mean loss. Pine Bush has a rare opportunity to choose a mascot that captures something distinctive about our community while unifying all students under a banner they can embrace with genuine pride. If the choice is to lean into what already makes Pine Bush unique:how about Pine Bush Invaders? Our town is known worldwide as a UFO hotspot, home to an annual fair that draws visitors from across the globe. Why not own it? “Invaders” is energetic, memorable, and perfectly suited to sports culture. Imagine the creative possibilities: “Invade the field!” “Invasion game day!” The imagery writes itself, and no other school in the region can claim anything remotely similar. For those seeking something more grounded in local geography, Ridge Guardians offers a dignified alternative that honors the Shawangunk Ridge defining our landscape. It’s gender-neutral, draws from the Sam’s Point folktale, and evokes strength and endurance, and connects students to the natural beauty surrounding them. When we asked Chat GPT for help, it suggested the following: UFO / Extraterrestrial Theme (reflecting the town’s UFO heritage) Ties directly to Pine Bush’s “UFO Capital of the World” identity and its annual UFO Fair — fun, modern, and unique in high school athletics. Pine Bush Invaders – energetic, fits sports imagery (“Invade the field!”) Pine Bush Aliens – playful, instantly recognizable Pine Bush Galaxy – more abstract, sleek, futuristic tone Pine Bush Comets / Meteors / Asteroids – space-oriented without being “too UFO” Pine Bush Lights – subtle nod to the famous “strange lights” in the sky Shawangunk Ridge / Nature Theme Emphasizes geography and local natural strength — timeless and gender-neutral. Pine Bush Ridge Runners – evokes endurance, connection to Shawangunk Ridge Pine Bush Hawks / Falcons / – common but dignified, symbolic of the ridge Pine Bush Pioneers – historical nod to early settlers, fits school pride Pine Bush Gunks – local shorthand for Shawangunk; quirky, regional identity History / Local Folklore Theme Connects to Pine Bush’s 19th-century roots and Sam’s Point legend. Pine Bush Ridge Guardians – draws from the Sam’s Point folktale Whatever name ultimately emerges from this process, the decision should prioritize what students themselves prefer. They’re the ones who will chant it at pep rallies, wear it on jerseys, and carry it into their futures. Adult nostalgia, while understandable, shouldn’t override the voices of young people asking for a mascot that truly represents them. Pine Bush has always been a community unafraid to be different—our UFO heritage proves that. Let’s show that same spirit now by embracing positive change. The students have spoken. Let’s listen. Source: https://www.timeshudsonvalley.com/stories/time-for-the-bushmen-to-embrace-the-future,198467