"[4] In the wake of the Charleston church shooting in June 2015, The Birmingham News highlighted this history and called for a removal of the mascot.

[6] By early July 2015, some Vestavia Hills residents wrote an op-ed in The Birmingham News calling on the school board to change its name.

[7] By the middle of July 2015, comedian John Oliver made fun of the claim that it was "heritage, not hate" on national television.

[...] And saying that the image of a plantation owner is not used in a racist way is a bit like arguing the Hitachi magic wand is only used as a back massager.

"[5] The Vestavia Hills City Schools System decided to keep the Rebels name but initiate a "rebranding" process.

[14][15] Over the same period, the team dominated most regional events throughout the Southeast, including four victories at the Furman University Wylie Mathematics Tournament from 1999 to 2004.

VHHS has won AHSAA state championships in the following sports:[22] Buddy Anderson Field (at Thompson Reynolds Stadium) is home of the Vestavia Hills Rebels football team.