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December 15, 2009
Christelle Xu
Despite activities director Helen Paris’ request to have WHS apparel removed from Wal-Mart’s shelves, the Fremont store manager refuses to comply. The two Wal-Marts located in Fremont are the only ones that sell WHS Husky gear.
The Wal-Mart manager claims that a program launched in October donates a percentage of its profits to the school.
“If [Wal-Mart] were to give, say, 10 percent back of what their profits are, in no way would that be justified in terms of what we can do here,” Paris said.
California law says the school is allowed to have a student store to learn marketing and strategies. In terms of Washington High School, ASB serves as the student store.
The corporate decision to sell spirit wear was left to the discretion of the Wal-Mart store manager.
“I thought it was a better decision to leave [the product] up so that the schools could benefit,” store manager Mark Blome said.
The Washington logo is not copyrighted, thereby making it legal for Wal-Mart to sell generic Husky products.
The incident is not isolated. Pel Athletics creates generic clothing that is altered to fit the name and mascot of schools throughout the nation.
“Parents were contacting me asking why Wal-Mart stores didn’t offer professional spirit wear,” Blome said.
Rite Aid, Lucky’s and Raley’s, each removed WHS spirit wear upon request.
“I don’t think it’s right to be selling Husky gear at other places when not 100 percent of the proceeds go to us,” junior Kyle Plant said.
Blome claims FUSD superintendent Milt Werner authorized him to sell Husky apparel.
“I have not talked to anyone at Wal-Mart while I have been in the office of superintendent,” Werner said in an e-mail.
Blome could not be reached for additional comments.
