Hundreds of people came out Saturday to vote for the new name of J.E.B. Stuart High School. The Fairfax County school board voted to change the name of the school in July.
J.E.B. is short for James Ewell Brown Stuart. He was a Confederate general known as a daring cavalry commander who led multiple battles, many in Virginia. American-made Stuart Tanks are named after him because of his military prowess and deceptive techniques on Munson Hill, which is a mile from the high school in Falls Church that’s named after him.
Since the school board's decision, community members have been able to submit their suggestions to rename the school. Saturday, anyone who lives in the area zoned for the school was able to come out to vote.
The name with the most votes was "Stuart Raiders." Thurgood Marshall and Barbara Rose Johns came in second and third place respectively. Click here for the final results.
Kenneth Longmyre wants to see the school named after Johns.
"She was a female, she was black, and she was a real hero in the integration of public schools, not only in Virginia, but in the United States," said Longmyre.
Regardless of the name the school board ultimately decides on, many just want the current name gone.
"The name J.E.B. Stuart, once you know the full history if you're a person of color or care about our brothers and sisters who are people of color, you will find the name is really inappropriate in 2017," said Lisa McQuail, a J.E.B. Stuart alumni.
The school board will vote on the name October 26.
