When the school opened in 1961, relocated from its former University Avenue location, the mascot was the Kittens because of the obvious association with the Los Gatos High School Wildcats. But being known as Kittens sounded weak, so a few years later the school became identified with the Trojans.

Fisher teacher Keri Kensinger-McCormick, who oversees the leadership class and student council, said the school's construction and modernization yet again in 2004 seemed like a natural time for the mascot issue to resurface.

After ongoing discussions throughout the year—including a concern over the condom of the same name as the mascot—the student council planned an assembly June 2 to give students a chance to change the mascot through the democratic process. Other alternatives to the Trojans included the Spartans, Phoenix, Lynx and Flames. The entire student body listened to an unbiased presentation by students about the pros and cons of a mascot change. For example, one of the pros to change the mascot was that there were no female Trojan warriors, while a con brought up during the presentation was the cost associated with a change.

"This is not about a popularity contest. It's not about rallying to change [the mascot]," McCormick said. "It's about what you personally think."

Before the assembly, eighth-graders Nick Kalpin and Sean Goodison said they thought the school should keep the Trojans as its mascot, since many reputable colleges and universities also have the same mascot and since it's part of Fisher's long history.

After the assembly, a voting process took place that was similar to the procedure for the recall of former California Gov. Gray Davis. And the next day, once the votes were tallied, McCormick said 346 students had voted to change the mascot, but a majority of 592 students had voted against it. McCormick said it was primarily sixth-graders who voted for the change and seventh- and eighth-graders who voted in opposition.

But McCormick said, more importantly, the electoral activity helped students to think for themselves, create dialogue about the issue and support their beliefs by making an informed decision on their ballot. McCormick, a 1967 graduate of Fisher, said she was proud of the student council for its presentation at the assembly.

"I sincerely believe that when you give the kids something to do, they will rise to the occasion," she said.