Uintah High School’s new spirit animal has finally arrived and the student body had a successful first encounter with him. Uintah School District shared the following on Thursday: This morning the Uintah High Student Council introduced the school’s new spirit animal, Yost the Bear. Students gathered for less than 15 minutes in the school commons to meet Yost, who is named after Jacque Yost, a beloved substitute teacher and long-time supporter of Uintah High sports. Jacque Yost was also on hand to meet his namesake. In October, Uintah High student leaders approached the Ute Tribe Business Committee to seek approval to use the bear as a costumed mascot for the school. Tribal leaders granted the request but asked that the school refer to the bear as its spirit animal instead of as a mascot. Members of the Ute Tribe revere the bear as a sacred animal. Yost the Bear will attend games and other school events to help pump up the crowd. Uintah High’s adoption of Yost the Bear as its spirit animal mirrors the University of Utah’s adoption of Swoop, a red-tailed hawk, as the costumed mascot for its sports teams. Uintah High Student Body President Marcus Bender told his fellow students Thursday morning that the school continues to be the Home of the Utes. The high school and Uintah School District are grateful for the ongoing support of the Ute Indian Tribe.
