By Kalvin D. Perron
Staff Reporter
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BAY MILLS - The Bay Mills Biological Services Department displayed their new logo at the Waishkey Center Gymnasium on Wednesday, Feb. 15. The winning logo, created by Ian Hunter, was chosen from over a dozen entries submitted by Ojibwe Charter School students, sixth through 10th grade, as part of a logo design contest sponsored by the biology department.
According to BSD Fisheries Intern Josh Parish, the idea to sponsor a logo design contest at OCS came to him after repeated inquiries by community members as to what it was exactly that his department did in Bay Mills. Parish said he decided that by holding a contest, where students could design the department's logo, he could do two things - create more community awareness about the importance of the Biology Services Department and highlight and expose some of the young and talented artists living within the community.
"This contest was geared more towards exposing our student's talents and giving them something positive to do, than the actual creation of a logo," Parish said. "The logo was just an added bonus. We have some very, very talented artists living here in our community and we wanted people to see that. We are very proud of our winner (Ian Hunter) but everyone that participated did a tremendous job."
Parish said that after getting Bay Mills Indian Community Chairman Jeffrey Parker's approval to go ahead with the contest, which included the purchase of 24 hats with the winning logo on front, 36 shirts with the winning logo on front and all the participants' logos on the back, as well as prizes and plaques for the winners, he, and Water Quality Specialist Amanda Bosek went to OCS for a presentation for the sixth through 10th grade students. At the presentation, Parish and Bosek explained all the various functions their department performs and why it is a vital part of the community. They also outlined what they wanted their logo to represent and asked that students reflect that in their designs.
All participating students had one month to complete their artwork for the contest. An independent panel, including Parker, BMIC Judge Corrine Cameron, Communications Director Allyn Cameron, Bay Mills Community College Biology Instructor Paul Ripple, and Bay Mills Conservation Officer and BMIC Vice Chairman Terry Carrick, selected Hunter as the first place winner. Alonzo Napalee's artwork finished a close second, and Leah Carrick's came in third. The first place winner received a brand new telescope, and the second and third place finishers received $50 and $30 gift certificates to Wal-Mart. As an added bonus, all submitted artwork is currently being displayed for the entire month of February at Lake Superior State University's gallery, located in the college library.
While all entries were truly deserving of being selected to represent the biology department's logo, OCS Program Facilitator Kathleen VanHouten said the experience was more than a contest. VanHouten said that not only did it spark the students' interest in biology, but gave them a chance to do something of value for the community.
"Overall, I thought this was a very positive experience," VanHouten said. "Especially the presentation at the school. We have a lot of students who are now talking about pursuing careers in their field. It was a good experience for them to not only work with the community, but actually see that their talents are recognized and appreciated by the community."
