It's official: New high school mascot to be the Liberty Bison

Construction is just beginning on the new high school that will begin serving Menifee residents in August 2021, but Liberty High School already has a mascot and school colors.

The Perris Union High School District Board of Trustees on June 19 approved the Bison as the school mascot. The school colors will be light blue, dark blue and black.

On the PUHSD Facebook page, the following explanation was given for the board's approval of a recommendation made by a district committee made up of board members David Nelissen and Dr. Randy Freeman; Chair of the Measure W Committee Sheila Curtis; District Superintendent Grant Bennett; and Deputy Superintendent Candace Reines:

"With the name of the high school being patriotic, the bison was selected as it is a symbol of patriotism. In 2016, the National Bison Legacy Act was signed into law, which designates the North American bison as the official National Mammal of the United States, joining the bald eagle as a national symbol. Much like the bald eagle, the bison is a great conservation success story, once facing extinction with only a few hundred remaining in the late 1800s. Today, bison live in all 50 states and serve as a symbol of unity, resilience, and healthy lifestyles and communities. The bison also played a central role in America's history and culture and helped shape the Great Plains and the lifestyle of Native Americans."