FORT SMITH (KFSM) -- The committee appointed to vote on a new mascot at Southside High School has decided on "Mavericks" to represent the school.
The new mascot replaces "The Rebels."
The Fort Smith School Board in June 2015 recommended banning the "Dixie" fight song and the rebel mascot "Johnny Reb" at Southside High School games.
Fort Smith attorney Joey McCutchen filed a lawsuit claiming the school board violated the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act by holding a committee vote without notifying the public.
The school board then voted unanimously on July 27 to ban the fight song for the upcoming 2015-2016 academic year, and the mascot by the 2016-2017 school year.
Three days later, Southside High School principal Wayne Haver announced the "Wabash Cannonball" would be the school's new fight song, replacing "Dixie."
Haver later announced in September that he would convene a mascot selection committee of 29 members to decide on a new mascot.
"Mavericks" won by a vote of 25-3. The other three votes went to "Patriots." One member was not present.