Fr. Tolton Catholic High School chooses school mascot

COLUMBIA — When Columbia's first Catholic high school opens next fall, the mascot will be the Trailblazers. 

Last week, the mascot committee at Fr. Tolton Catholic High School chose the Trailblazers, as well as school colors of light blue and silver, according to a news release from the school.

The Trailblazer was chosen largely to honor Father Augustine Tolton, who was born into slavery but later became the United States' first African-American priest.

The new school will be off Gans Road. According to the school's website, more than $10 million of the estimated $14 million needed to complete the school has been raised.

Students in grades nine and 10 are scheduled to begin classes in the fall of 2011. Depending on fundraising, grades 11 and 12 will be added in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Now that the mascot has been chosen, the next step is to decide on a school logo. The school is sponsoring a contest open to all entrants with a $500 prize for the winner.  Contest details can be found on the school's website.