had the honor of helping carry the tradition to
the bowl for this year’s commencement ceremony.
As Redwood High School’s graduating class steps into Mineral King Bowl for their commencement ceremony, they are not alone. Among the excited family members, proud teachers, and their fellow graduates, a unique wooden mascot – “The Head” – will be with them on this significant day.
“The Head”, a one-of-a-kind wooden sculpture, is rumored to have been crafted in the 1950s by an unknown artist. This artist is believed to be the same one who created the sign at the entrance to the Sequoia National Park and the famous “End of The Trail” statue in Mooney’s Grove Park.
This unique mascot head has seen its fair share of adventures. After being displayed on the Redwood Marquee at the corner of Conyer and Main, it mysteriously disappeared in the 1980s. For about 15 years, the whereabouts of The Head remained a mystery until it resurfaced in Tulare.
The head found its way into the possession of Tulare Union ASB, who, mistakenly believing it to be their former mascot’s profile, used it as a prop for their events. It then found a temporary home in the garage of a Golden West ASB member, where it was repurposed as a stool. From there, the trail becomes a bit murkier, but it eventually ended up in the possession of a Redwood High School science teacher, who continued its stool legacy.
When this teacher retired, The Head was passed on to Mr. Miller, who was intrigued by its history and vowed to become its caretaker. An incidental conversation with a Redwood Alumni led Mr. Miller to discover that the head was actually a Ranger. Further research by his journalism students unearthed original pictures proving its true identity.
Today, The Head has been restored and revived and lives for most of the year in Room 207. The hat that had gone missing has been recreated by Mr. Eastman and the woodshop students, and The Head has been repainted in Ranger blue, ready to reclaim its rightful place as a symbol of school spirit.
A new tradition has been born from this unique journey. Every year at graduation, The Head is placed at the end of the field. As the graduates enter, they are encouraged to touch The Head for good luck.
Tonight, as the graduates of Redwood High make their way into the Mineral King Bowl, they will be accompanied by their wooden mascot, symbolizing not just school spirit, but the journey they’ve shared and the challenges they’ve overcome.
Join us as we celebrate this remarkable tradition and our graduating students. Let’s keep the Ranger spirit alive!
nmiller
Imagine spending your days talking about ideas that you love with people you genuinely care about. Not bad, that. I advise some journalists and teach some literature at Redwood High School in Visalia, Ca.
Tags: Community Spirit, End of The Trail, Good Luck Ritual, Graduation Day, Historic Tradition, Mascot History, Mooney's Grove Park, ranger blue, Ranger Mascot, redwood high school, school spirit, sequoia national park, Student Journalism, The Head, visalia, Wood Sculpture
