The Griffin

The Griffin is a mythical creature that is half lion and half eagle. Lions rule the earth while eagles rule the sky. The eagle and lion are also the symbols of the Gospels of St. John and St. Mark, respectively. Our school mascot serves as a symbol to our entire school community of the values in these two gospels. Griffins were huge creatures of great strength and evolved into a universal symbol of vigilance and bravery. The earliest legends of the griffin date from 3000 BC.

The griffins at the entrance to Tower Grove Park in St. Louis provided Brother Kenneth Nesbit, S.M., Saint John Vianney High School’s first principal, with the inspiration to select this mascot. The gospel values along with the characteristics of strength, determination, reliability and integrity associated with the griffin create the ideal toward which the entire Vianney family strives.

VIANNEY FIGHT SONG

We are the Black and Gold of Vianney

We are the Golden Griffins of Vianney High

Half lion, half eagle so the Griffin can roar

So the Griffin can soar above the lightening and thunder

We will win, win, win, yeah Vianney.

Oh hear the din din din and our clamor and cheer

We want the world to be told about the Black and the Gold of

O’l Vianney, Vianney Vianney, Yeah!