Waverly Looks to Project Caring Image after Controversial Skit

11/16/2012 (Updated 7:03:10 PM)

(Source: Jason Weinstein)

When this image from an October 12 pep rally in Waverly made national news, the village's reputation took a big hit. the skit - featuring three students in blackface re-creating a scene of domestic violence between singers Chris Brown and Rihanna - was called racist and sexist - labels that stuck to the village as a whole.

"We don't want to be know for what happened previously. We do want to be know for what we do moving forward," said Waverly Central School District Superintendent Joseph Yelich.

2012 Waverly graduate Lisa Dailey wants to create a new picture of the village. She's trying to get 1,000 people to form a red heart at the high school football field at a Waverly cares rally Sunday at 2.

"Regaining a positive atmosphere. Trying to regain some strength and morale for the community," said Yelich.

"It was an isolated situation that was handled at the level it was supposed to be handled at. The community has rallied around to show how strong we are," said Waverly Mayor Kyle McDuffee.

Since the incident the school district has worked with the new hope center - a Tioga County agency that specializes in abuse and hate crimes.

"The awareness has been raised quite a bit. When you look to the right of you, when you look to the left of you you're not sure what circumstances those people came from and you really need to be patient and tolerant," said Yelich.

The district also says it will change the procedures that led to the skit being allowed in the first place.

"To come together to kind of make the healing process start," said Yelich.

****In waverly, Jason Weinstein, Fox 40 HD news.****