User:The C of E/ehs

History
Evadale High School was built in 1955 and chose the nickname of the "Fighting Rebels". The Confederate Battle Flag was also chosen as a symbol for the school and its coat of arms as well as being flown outside the school. It is not known who designed the coat of arms but it is believed that it was created by students of the school. In the 1960s, Evadale High School adopted a personification of Johnny Reb as their mascot following Hardin-Jefferson High School ceasing to use him, however Johnny Reb was also later phased out as the mascot of Evadale High School.

Controversy
In 2015, following the Charleston church shooting where the perpetrator was pictured holding Confederate flags prior to the shootings, Evadale High School was featured in American national media for the use of Confederate symbolism within the school. However the Superintendent stated the school would not change its coat of arms owing to tradition and being a symbol of pride. He also stated that no changes would be made with regard to flying the Confederate flag unless the school district received complaints. The Texas Education Agency supported this stance as well as the town's U.S. Representative Brian Babin who said that it was a local decision that should only be taken by the Evadale residents. In the same year, the school replaced its old sign which featured three Confederate flags with one that did not have one permanently on it. Instead it was replaced with an LED screen which included the Confederate flag in its animation on the sign. The Superintendent made clear this was not due to pressures on the school.