EDITORIAL: Students proud to be UHCL Hawks
Many know the majesty of the hawk; it is an aggressive bird of prey with powerful claws used to swoop in and capture its target. We, the students, faculty and staff of the University of Houston-Clear Lake, are now the Hawks.
With the revelation that the hawk is our mascot, we must truly consider the implications: What does it mean to be a UHCL Hawk? Is being a hawk something that should bring us pride? Is it something that should inspire fear?
A hawk is a frightening bird to some; it is a fierce, strong and deadly predator that will hunt to its last breath. However, there can be no mistaking the hawk’s beauty and elegance even as it flies to claim its prey. It is an image that truly represents the strength and wonder that our campus possesses.
We at UHCL are not slackers. We are not students who sit idly by and wait for others to do our work for us. We are not teachers who ignore our jobs and shirk our duties because we are not lazy. We are aggressive, ferocious, passionate in our ideals and devoted to whatever our goals may be. Whether it be finishing a homework assignment, teaching multiple courses in a single day or achieving some grand honor amidst our campus, we at UHCL will charge through with determination, and we will achieve our goals.
Yet even with this devout ferocity, there is a quiet beauty within our campus – in addition to the natural beauty that exists due to our proximity to a nature reserve – that exemplifies our strength and nobility. Our campus, faculty and students alike, are always willing to help one another, even if the situation can be inconvenient. When a student needs help with material, there is always someone extending a helping hand. No one who needs help – and puts out the effort – will ever be turned away.
What is it then that this hawk represents to us? The hawk stands as a beacon to all that we are a strong and determined campus. We will stand against those who threaten us, and we will crush any obstacles that stand in the ways of our goals. Much like the hawk, we will never look away from our objectives, nor will we shirk from any duties we are assigned.
We should all be proud to be represented by this glorious creature. The hawk stands as a symbol of our dedication and our courage. The hawk shows others that we will not simply back down when something seems daunting. It is the new symbol of our school pride proclaiming to the world that through all things we will persevere with strength and dignity.
Soon we will see the visage of our new mascot across our campus. Before too long we will witness future traditions formed behind this mascot, such as rallying cries or amusing hand gesture while we, as a campus, unite behind this symbol of our collective strength.
Just as the hawk flies with its head held high, we too will march on with pride. We now join the ranks of other prestigious campuses, rallying behind a corporeal symbol and proclaiming who we are to the world: We are the Hawks, and we will spread our wings and soar.
