Vendeens – Holy Family Academy (Manassas VA)

No, this is not a 60s girl group from Detroit. 

Instead, according to the school website: 

“The Vendeens were devout Catholics who bravely opposed the persecution of their Church and the assault on their cherished traditions during the tumultuous period of the French Revolution. Rising against the Revolutionary government in 1793, these simple yet courageous people stood firm in defense of their faith and liberty, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Above all, they defended their priests, who were hunted by the revolutionary armies.

Despite facing ruthless suppression and unimaginable atrocities, the Vendeens remained steadfast in their commitment to their Catholic beliefs and traditional values. Their unwavering resolve and sacrificial courage serve as a timeless testament to the enduring power of faith and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.”

The site shares this rather gory painting to illustrate:

Unfortunately, Vendeen is also the name of a dog and a sheep. So, when you Google it, you typically get stuff like this:

Or this:

It looks like the school punted when it comes to an actual mascot. This is the only possible representation I could find:

HFA is in Manassas, a suburb of DC. I grew up in the area, back when Manassas was a sleepy railroad town mostly known for its Civil War history. These days, it seems it’s mostly DC sprawl. Wikipedia lists a ton of “notable people,” but basketball star David Robinson (who attended high school – but not HFA – there) is the only one I recognize.

Interestingly, HFA is an independent Catholic school, meaning it is not sanctioned by the local bishop, nor is it accredited. It sounds like it’s super-Catholic, with obligatory attendance at daily mass, a very heavy anti-abortion message, an emphasis on “classical” education, etc. 

The school is 28 years old, and has about 240 students. It’s a K through 12, so I’m not sure if the 240 is for the high school or the whole shebang. Any way you look at it, it sounds pretty tiny. And that’s probably why what I could find on it is very limited. 

They do at least seem to offer all the regular sports though. The only major exception looks like football, which usually demands a pretty substantial student body.

I believe they call this “rugby”