I’m breaking my vow about not using text message abbreviation today and going, “SMH.”

I just got through reading the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald’s website about the merger of the two Northampton County high schools and the mascot chosen for the new school — the Jaguars.

Say what? The Jaguars?

Yes, the Jaguars, and in the colors of the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL.

This name choice shows no imagination and most importantly no respect for the history of Northampton County.

It is an easy way out, a choice common these days to replicate NFL names and uniforms rather than do a little work and choose a name, which honors the legacy of the area, or perhaps the future of the area.

That’s right, I’m huge on team names and have a book, which tells me the story behind team names.

This is why I am in “SMH” mode this morning because this name was clearly chosen as an easy way out, probably easier for the uniform manufacturers to make from a template instead of giving them a challenge.

I know I don’t do a lot in Northampton because I just don’t have the resources right now, but this morning I’m targeting my indignation on the Northampton County Board of Education because there seems no thought was put into naming this new school’s mascot.

Well, Mr. Martin, if you’re so smart, what would you name the mascot?

Anything but the Jaguars is my first thought.

I have some ideas that swam through my head when I first read this article and before I get to the most fitting one, at least in my opinion, let me bounce some ideas off the head of the Jaguars mascot.

A nod to Woodland’s Quaker heritage would have been a nice touch but I suppose in these days of political correctness naming a team after some religion is out like the Constitution.

OK, how about something reflecting on the battle of Boon’s Mill, which happened to spare the Weldon Bridge. Something like the Generals in honor of Matt Ransom. Oh, never mind, it’s the Civil War, that would never fly.

Civil War is out, religion is out. That leaves agriculture. Does anyone remember agriculture? Something like the Cotton Kings, the Peanut Kings would be a nice touch. Sounds logical to me but then I’m not into the hip practice these days of conformity.

So if you’re still not digging these, how about a nod to Northampton’s future and the North Carolina Center for Automotive Research? There’s the Racers, the Pacers — how about that, that satisfies the need to copy an established pro team, or how about the Pistons? There’s the Speedsters, the Speed Demons, the Revs, the Speed, anything, anything but the Jaguars, unless they meant the car. Somehow I doubt it.

Here’s another, a tribute to the father of the electric vehicle program at Northampton East, Harold Miller. Simply call them the Shockers. I suppose that name would single one person out and we can’t single people out for their contributions can we?

So how about this and this one is my favorite — The Thoroughbreds. Why? Think Sir Archie or has history just been lost? “SMH.” — Lance Martin

Lance Martin is editor and publisher of rrspin.com