Beginning with the new school year, Gulf Middle School will no longer be the Bears. The team nickname will change to the Buccaneers.
The change is being made by Jason Joens, the new principal of GMS. Mr Joens will succeed Stan Trapp, who is retiring.
In an email, Mr. Joens explained, “As I work with the GMS community, I want to align the connection of our GMS desired effects and student outcomes with GHS. Since GMS students goal is to obtain an HS diploma and 98% of GMS students will be GHS Buccaneers, we will align our mascots.”
Gulf Middle School (earlier called Gulf Junior High School) apparently has had two earlier team mascots. Yearbooks from 1972 to 1987 (earlier ones were not seen) indicate the team nickname was the Raiders. The mascot was apparently changed to the Bears at the start of the 1987-88 school year.
