SPRINGVILLE — The luck or the charm of the Red Devils mascot of Springville High School may have run out.

Lessons in history are a place to start in finding the origins and true meaning for misunderstood mascots.

In the late 1800s, the word mascot was adopted into the English language. It came from the French word mascotte, meaning a charm. The French word itself was adopted from the Provençal word masco meaning piece of witchcraft or charm.

In today’s terms, according to dictionary.com, the word mascot is described as “a person, animal, or object believed to bring good luck, especially one kept as the symbol of an organization such as a sports team.”

Residents and school officials will be meeting at 3 p.m. Thursday in the school library to discuss the appropriateness of Springville High’s mascot.

As it turns out, the name is meant as an honor to those who helped construct the original school, not Satan himself.

The cement for the foundation of the original school built in the early 1900s was donated by a company called Red Devil Cement Co., manufactured at the Devil’s Slide cement manufacturing plant near Morgan, said Springville High Principal Mike Hicks.

“Because they donated the cement, (the school leaders) chose to pay homage to them,” Hicks said.

About five years ago, an original bag which held cement powder was found in the school basement while it was being cleaned. It is now framed and hangs in the front office.

“We are proud of our mascot,” said student Kristin Walpole. “Some people say it promotes Satanism, but the student body doesn’t feel that way.

“We see it as power. I like our mascot.”

The fact that there isn’t a mascot running up and down the sidelines at sporting events has nothing to do with the controversy that comes up every few years, Hicks said.

“The student council hasn’t raised enough money for the head,” he said. “I told them I would pay for the costume if they raised the money for the head part of it.”

The bylaws of the school constitution state that the mascot “shall be the Red Devils,” said Carl Nielson, Nebo School District superintendent.

“We’ll have to honor the constitution,” Hicks said, who added he is remaining neutral on the issue. “And in this county, especially at this time, I think that is something that we do.”

The school board of education has the power to change the name, but won’t act until they know how the majority feels about the issue.

“The school board feels like (the recommendation to change) should first come from a local organization before they are willing to act upon it,” Nielson said.

Hicks is meeting with the school’s community council, made up of parents and Springville High teachers, to discuss the issue.

“At this point in time the mascot is the Red Devils,” Hicks said. “That’s the story.”

Jennifer Minnich can be reached at 344-2558 or jminnich@heraldextra.com.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.