THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED a grouping of rabbit-themed books displayed on a table at my local library, I passed right by. That’s odd, I thought to myself. The second time I glimpsed those books, I walked over and looked. Turns out 2023 is The Year of the Rabbit and this book collection is a way to celebrate.
Today, Sunday, January 22, marks the beginning of the Chinese Lunar New Year, the year when the rabbit takes zodiac animal center stage. The rabbit symbolizes luck (no surprise there; think a good luck rabbit foot), diplomacy, peace, compassion, kindness, all words I can get behind. We’re overdue for a year of people and nations treating each other with respect, kindness and decency.
While I’m not into the zodiac, I respect the Asian culture. And I like rabbits…because I am a Rabbit. Clarification, I was a Rabbit, as in a Wabasso Rabbit. I graduated from Wabasso High School, a southwestern Minnesota school with a white rabbit as its mascot. I can almost hear the laughing. A rabbit as a mascot? Yes, I admit to hearing a fair share of put-downs about being a lowly Rabbit. But don’t underestimate a rabbit/Rabbit.
There’s a reason behind the chosen mascot. The town name, Wabasso, is a Dakota word meaning “white rabbit.” So it makes total sense that the public school would choose a rabbit mascot. This prairie region of Minnesota is rich in Dakota history.
For me, rabbits are part of my personal history. I hold many memories of overall Rabbit pride. Pep fests, football and basketball games, theater, writing for the high school newspaper, The Rabbit Tracks… Attending a small rural Minnesota high school with mostly farm kids from the communities of Wabasso, Wanda, Lucan, Seaforth and Vesta (my hometown) was a good fit for me. I am forever proud of being a Rabbit.
Next year, 2024, marks The Year of the Rabbit for me. In that calendar year, my WHS graduating class celebrates its 50th class reunion. Unbelievable. I once considered people who’ve been out of high school for 50 years to be really old. I don’t think that way any more, although I do admit my advancing age.
As we reunite, we’ll pull out our yearbooks and reminisce. We’ll pull out our smartphones to share family photos. We’ll celebrate the years we were Rabbits. And we’ll celebrate, too, the lives we’ve lived since, lives I hope have been filled with peace, kindness and love.
© Copyright 2023 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I loved this post – such a great way to think about life and this place we call home. This book reminded me of a couple books by this Minnesota author from St. Cloud https://www.habsomohamud.com
Thank you for appreciating my post today. And thank you for recommending this St. Cloud author to me. Her books look like “must reads.”
happy lunar new year, audrey. i love the backstory of the white rabbit and the town, and i hope you have an incredible reunion when it comes around. like you, i thought 50 year reunions were for ‘old people’ but here we are. mine is not far behind and will happen in 2025 –
Happy Lunar New Year to you also, Beth. Glad you enjoyed my personal Rabbit backstory.
50 years isn’t all that long — my 45th is this year and it amazes me that it’s been that many years! We celebrated with egg rolls and dumplings yesterday. 🐇
Laughing at your “50 years isn’t all that long.” I think our perspectives are changing as we age. I figured you would celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Fun to know Rabbits are your high school’s mascot.
I had a good time at my 50th class reunion…and it was the only one I attended!
I’m glad you attended your 50th. I’ve attended many and enjoyed all of them.