By Ciera Sesock and Allyson Zamora
Cowhide is finally here; that means school spirit, dress up days, football, and most importantly, the rivalry between Mt. Whitney and Redwood. Every year the Rangers and the Pioneers battle to be titled the best school, but do you really know the history behind the hide? What is cowhide and how did it start?
Cowhide began in 1955. Years ago, Visalia only had one school, Visalia Union High School. However, in 1954, it split into the two schools we know today, Redwood High School and Mt. Whitney High School. The students and staff at Redwood High School were angered because Mt. Whitney took with them the school colors, mascot, traditions, and half of the school’s population. But, they did not manage to take the spirit.
The newly made Rangers wanted to gain back their pride and recognition as being the main high school in Visalia. They started the original Cowhide football game, which has become the tradition we know, love, and embrace today.
Cowhide has been a way for the Rangers to show their pride and prove that they have more spirit than all other schools!
Every year many students look forward to the traditional game. Savannah Travis, ’20, looks forward to Cowhide because she strongly believes that “it is the epitome of Redwood spirit.” Travis admits that Cowhide rivalry is a big deal but it is mainly about Redwood students “show that we bleed blue.” Redwood spirit is revealed a lot from students especially during Cowhide week and thought the football game of course.
To Travis and many other students, the traditional Cowhide game is a way for students to “show that we love our school and what we do. We love our football team, and we love everything about Redwood.” It is more than a football game, but a way for students to express the spirit that will always be with Redwood.