HERTFORD — Rebranding the school district – new mascot, Buccaneers instead of Pirates, emblem and district seal — Perquimans is doing that.

“Our goal was to create a clear and inspiring pathway for students from preK through high school and the community overwhelmingly supported that vision,” Superintendent Tanya Turner said. “The Buccaneers, the district seal, and the unified P give our students a sense of belonging to something bigger than themselves. No matter which building they are in, they are part of one connected journey in Perquimans County Schools. This identity not only celebrates who they are today, but also prepares them for who they will become long after they leave us. We want every student to feel proud of their roots, confident in their direction, and ready for a strong future filled with purpose and possibility.”  

I’ve covered all sorts of sports and school events over the years, so I always make a note about mascots, school colors, etc. — I think they are important.

John A. Holmes High School’s Aces — that name and blue, white and gold color scheme come from when Edenton had a Marine Corps Air Station back in the 1940s — pilots known as Aces — became the school’s logo, probably in the early to mid 1950s. And no, the Aces’ name does not come from the Aces within a deck of playing cards.  

When I interviewed Red Barons’ football coach Matt Biggy, I asked him about Gates County High School’s mascot namesake. I love that name – Red Barons – so unique. Biggy said when Gates County integrated and combined schools, neither school’s mascot would have worked, so school officials opted to create a new nickname to unify the school. Snoopy and the Red Baron was a popular song at the time, so that nickname stuck.  

Last week, Perquimans County Schools officially introduced a new mascot, district seal, and unified branding that leaders say will guide students along a cohesive identity from pre-K through high school. Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, Perquimans County Intermediate School will become the Buccaneers, adopting black and gold colors and a new districtwide “P” emblem designed to visually connect every school in the county.

District officials said the changes come after a yearlong engagement effort that invited students, staff, families, and community members to help shape the future identity of the new intermediate school. According to the district, the responses were decisive: Buccaneers was the top choice “across ALL groups,” paired with strong support for a countywide “Pathway to a Pirate” theme that aligns all grades with the Perquimans County High School Pirates.

“We are excited to officially introduce the new mascot and branding for Perquimans County Intermediate School… THE BUCCANEERS!” the district announced in a social media post last week. “Last year, we asked our students, staff, families, and community to help shape the future identity of our new intermediate school—and your voices were loud and clear.”

The priorities expressed during that outreach shaped every element of the new branding. Community members said they wanted:

• A unified theme across all schools
• A clear pathway from early grades to high school
• Mascots that connect all schools to the PCHS Pirates
• Consistent black and gold colors
• A signature “P” to tie the district together

With the 2026–2027 rollout, Perquimans Intermediate will begin using the Buccaneer mascot and black-and-gold palette, marking a major milestone in the district’s effort to visually and culturally connect students from their first school experience to graduation.

The district also unveiled a unified “P” emblem, which will be shared across all Perquimans County schools. Leaders say the emblem is designed to give students a sense of belonging to a single, connected system—no matter which building they attend.

As part of the broader Pathway to a Pirate initiative, Perquimans Central School will also undergo a mascot change. The school will transition from the Turtles to the Skippers, with new branding work beginning next. The move is meant to create a step-by-step identity progression: Skippers in the early grades, Buccaneers at the intermediate level, and Pirates in high school. 

A New District Seal With a Story

Alongside the mascot unveiling, Perquimans County Schools released its new district seal, which incorporates several nautical and academic symbols representing the journey students take on their way to becoming Pirates.

“Today, we are thrilled to share the full Buccaneer branding, the district seal, and our unified ‘P’, created to celebrate who we are and where our students are headed,” the district said. “The Pathway to a Pirate is a Pre-K–12 adventure!”

According to the district, each element of the seal carries a deliberate meaning:

• Open Book with Torch/Flame — Symbolizes knowledge and enlightenment.
• Compass Rose — Represents guidance, navigation, and academic direction.
• Anchor — Signifies stability and grounding in the community.
• Latin Phrase — Translates to “Ship of Knowledge,” tying together the maritime theme and the district’s educational mission.

“Together, these pieces communicate the student journey down the ‘pathway to a Pirate,’” the district explained.

A Unified Identity Built With Community Input

Perquimans County Schools leaders said the branding effort represents more than a new logo or mascot. By aligning each campus under a shared visual identity and nautical theme, they hope to strengthen school spirit, reinforce continuity between grade levels, and build a sense of countywide unity.

The district emphasized that the process was driven by feedback from the community itself. While the Buccaneers emerged as the clear favorite for the intermediate school, leaders said the broader desire for consistency—from colors to mascots—played an equally important role in shaping the final design.

The introduction of the Buccaneers, the forthcoming Skippers branding, and the district’s new emblem mark an early milestone in the multiyear transition. Additional details, including updated signage, uniforms, and school materials, are expected to be rolled out as the 2026–2027 school year approaches.

For now, district officials say they are grateful for the input that helped craft the new identity.

The unveiling closes a year of planning—and launches a new era in which every Perquimans student, from pre-K to senior year, travels together on the Pathway to a Pirate.