MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) St. John Paul II Elementary introduced its first school mascot, the Defenders, on the solemnity of the school’s patron saint, St. John Paul II. It marked the school’s 140th anniversary of Catholic education and honored the history and continued Catholic education.
The event began with Mass led by the Fr. Yamato Icochea, school superintendent, followed by a gathering featuring the mascot reveal, student performances and an announcement about a new historical display.
The Defenders mascot depicts a Swiss Guard, reflecting the guards’ role in protecting the pope. Its red and blue colors represent Mitchell’s Catholic parishes: blue for the Holy Family and red for the Holy Spirit.
The design includes a shield bearing a cross and a star drawn from the school’s logo, introduced in 2024. The star also connects to the community’s former Notre Dame High School.
The mascot includes the school’s new Latin motto, “Nolite timere,” meaning “do not be afraid.”
Nicole Fuhrer, gift planning officer for the Catholic Community Foundation for Eastern South Dakota’s Mitchell region, highlighted 140 years of Catholic education in the community by saying “For 140 years, Catholic education has played an integral role in the religious formation and academic and personal development of our students,”
Fuhrer also announced a new interactive touchscreen at Holy Family, located where Notre Dame High School once stood. Called the Rocket Board, it features a digital collection of Notre Dame memorabilia, also available at bit.ly/4z8BHnY. School, parish and Mitchell Catholic Foundation information will be added in the future.