BHS Sophomore Creates Winning Batavia Community Flag Design
The BPS101 Community is proud to share that BHS sophomore Rachel Agro’s Batavia Community Flag design has been chosen in their Flag Design Competition.
She was one of 46 students under the age of 18 who submitted designs.
Rachel’s design was displayed at the Batavia City Council meeting on Monday, April 3. At the presentation, Mayor Jeffery Schielke presented a proclamation to Rachel, announcing it as the official Batavia Community Flag.
Batavia’s own, FlagSource, is producing both a 3-foot by 5-foot flag for $50 and a garden-size flag with a stake for $35. Visit www.bataviachamber.org/store/ to pre-order your flag, which will be available for pickup at the Batavia Chamber of Commerce office, 106 W. Wilson St. Both sizes of the flag can be purchased at Batavia’s Flag Day Celebration on Wednesday, June 14. The Chamber is donating 25% of the net profits from the sale of the flags to the Fox Valley Patriotic Organization in support of the Batavia Flag Day Monument.
According to Rachel’s description of the design’s significance, “It is meant to represent Batavia and its historical connection to industry along with its geography. In addition to the windmill, the blue stripes represent the Fox River, which shapes the geography of the town. Lastly, the windmill also takes up the shape of the sun. Batavia’s relatively flat geography makes it a perfect place to spectate its gorgeous sunrises and sunsets.” Rachel was surprised by an announcement that she won during her graphics class under the direction of Kathleen Tieri Ton, graphics teacher. Ms. Tieri Ton encouraged her two sections of Introduction to Graphic Communications to participate and also shared the competition with her graphics club. “I love bringing community design opportunities into the classroom,” explained Ms. Tieri Ton. “When students can see how their voice and creativity matter, it shows them that they matter and can make an impact on the world.”
As to Rachel’s reaction, she was “excited upon receiving the news that I had won. There were so many talented people and designs submitted, I was surprised that mine was selected. “I am honored that my flag was chosen to represent this wonderful community. Because I am thankful for all it (Batavia) has given me, it is my hope that through my design, I can give something back.”
Marty Callahan, the chairperson for the Flag Design Contest committee and member of the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA), confirmed that the quality and quantity of submissions were excellent. “There were so many good choices that it was a difficult decision,” said Marty. “The fact that five of the top 10 were student designs is a point of pride that the younger generation is invested in their community.”
Congratulations, Rachel and Ms. Tieri Ton, for your great work.
