Chief Nawaganti Returns to Public View

Istrouma High School graduates are breathing a sigh of relief as they learn that their beloved mascot, Chief Nawaganti, has been saved from destruction, restored to his former glory, and installed in a safe public place — the Baton Rouge Room of the new Main Library on Goodwood Boulevard.

Istrouma was the largest high school in the state for many years.  In the 1960’s, it had more than 1,900 students in grades 10 to 12.  From the 1930’s to the 1960’s, it was often the state’s dominant high school football power.  It produced a host of college and professional athletes, including Billy Cannon, the LSU All-American who won the Heisman Trophy in 1959.

When mass busing of students began in 1970, enrollment at Istrouma and many other parish schools began to decline.  So did test scores, and by 2010 Istrouma was declared a “failing school.” It was taken over by the State of Louisiana through the State Recovery District.

While Istrouma was under EBR, many alumni complained the school administration was not properly protecting the school’s nine state championship trophies and countless other trophies, photos, and mementoes.

After the state took over Istrouma, a custodian at the school called an alumnus to report treasured trophies thrown away in a dumpster.  Some alumni discovered a room with water on the floor where boxes of mementos were being left to disintegrate.

When the State of Louisiana closed the school in May 2014, Istrouma alumni expressed concern to school officials that the school’s mascot, Chief Nawaganti, and school trophies would be stolen or vandalized.

With permission of state and parish school board officials, alumnus Wayne Messina, then director of security for the East Baton Rouge school system, intervened and rescued many items.

Nawaganti was taken to the school board food service office for storage.  Then a dedicated band of Istrouma Indians began raising money to properly restore Nawaganti’s costume and build a professional case.  They raised more than $5,000.

The Istrouma Class of 1964 donated Nawaganti to the school as their senior gift.  Members of class were determined that Nawaganti would not only be preserved from destruction but restored.

The legendary Indian chief was in a bad way.  His costume had rotted and was literally falling apart.  Only his moccasins and a few other items could be saved.

Class of 1964 graduates Darlene Frank and Ginger Foster worked with Emily Tran to design and create a new buckskin costume, along with all the accessories Nawaganti would need.

The old case was so large and so rickety that it could not be moved without spending a small fortune.  So Istrouma alumni retained Pete Estabe of Contemporary Cabinets to build a new display cabinet to serve as Nawaganti’s home.

On July 22, Istrouma graduates, mostly from the Class of 1964, dressed Nawaganti in his new costume and moved him and the new display case to the Baton Rouge Room of the new Main Library on Goodwood Boulevard.  They spent two hours installing it.

Nawaganti is now on display.  Wayne Messina said Nawaganti will be formally unveiled in ceremonies at the library in a few weeks.

Baton Rouge Room director Melissa Eastin said she anticipates putting Nawaganti and other Istrouma memorabilia on display for a month each year, probably in July.