Austin Independent School District held a design contest for sixth- through 12th-grade students to create the district’s first sustainability brand.

The contest was designed to provide students with real-world design experience. It also exposed them to potential career paths in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics fields, while creating a unifying environmental design for the district.

Bowie High School senior Celina Luckevich submitted the winning design as part of a class project in Gina Cottone’s Advanced Graphic Design class. Luckevich’s work was selected among 30 entries. It will be displayed in AISD’s sustainability marketing materials starting with the 2015-16 school year. Luckevich also earned $500 for her campus to purchase design supplies or to support a campus environmental improvement project.

“The contest was a great experience for me,” said Luckevich. “I got to work with graphic designers and get feedback and critiques. Next year at Texas Tech, I am excited to bring the skills I've learned from my graphic design class with me. They will enhance anything I do in engineering and bring a different perspective to all of my projects.”

Cottone’s enthusiasm for Luckevich’s performance is contagious.

“I have really enjoyed teaching Celina for the past three years. She is artistically talented, intelligent and conscientious,” said Cottone. “Her icon designs for the Sustainability Brand Contest were creative, yet simplistic enough to convey the visual message to the viewer. Overall, I am very proud of Celina and her achievement.” 

Austin High School Sophomore Claudia Durand, runner-up for the contest, earned $250 for her school.

Sophomore Alan Alonso and senior Alberto Huezo, both of Bowie High School, were recognized with an honorable mention for the creativity and uniqueness of their collaborative design. They earned $100 for their campus.

The City of Austin Office of Sustainability and EcoRise Youth Innovations generously provided the cash prizes as part of the Bright Green Futures grant program.

The winning designs will be showcased at a celebratory event at City Hall on June 2 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. View all 30 student entries at www.austinisd.org/advisory-bodies/esac/news-events.

For more information about environmental sustainability initiatives at AISD, please visit www.austinisd.org/advisory-bodies/esac.