Vineyard Ranch Elementary School is home to the Broncos.
Specifically Barney the Bronco.
The Bronco just got his name after a suggestion and petition by third grader Grant Yonker.
Here’s why this is really important; up until last year, there was a man on campus named Barney Aguilar, “Mr. Barney,” to the kids.
He was a teacher’s aide, cafeteria helper and unofficial DJ at nearly every event on campus.
“He was always making up new jokes. He played the music at Field Day,” said Yonker. “He would help us sometimes, like opening milk and wrappers that I can’t open.”
But last year, Mr. Barney passed away.
Different student groups planted trees on campus to honor him.
One tree has a Dallas Cowboys flag hanging near it because that was his favorite football team.
His picture now hangs in the cafeteria.
“He was really special. He saw every single child,” said Vineyard Ranch Librarian Melissa Barnes. “He worked in the copy room a lot. He also worked in the lunchroom and was there for every single lunch and so he worked with every single child. He brought a lot of joy to the kids.”
Every Vineyard Ranch student, past and present, knew Mr. Barney.
He worked at Vineyard Ranch since it was opened.
He loved the school and every student who passed through it’s doors.
So, it only made sense to Grant, to name the school’s official mascot after him.
“I bet if he was still alive, he would feel really grateful,” said Yonkers.
Grant recorded a video with his suggestion that was played during morning announcements.
He then collected 300 signatures from students to name their mascot after Mr. Barney.
So now a man who was unofficially Vineyard Ranch’s mascot, has, in a way, become the school’s official mascot.
This way, future Broncos will get a chance to have Mr. Barney make an impact on them.
