Wednesday, May 29, 2024 | View in browser
City of Evanston and Mayor Biss Announce 7-Year-Old Bernie Allen-Harrah as Winner of Mayor's Youth Flag Redesign Contest, Unveils New City Flag
 EVANSTON, IL - The City of Evanston is thrilled to announce the winner of the Mayor's Youth Flag Redesign Contest: Bernie Allen-Harrah, a talented 7-year-old in 1st grade at Dawes Elementary School, whose design captured the essence of our community. Bernie’s flag, selected from hundreds of submissions, was unveiled at last night’s City Council meeting.
Bernie Allen-Harrah’s winning design reflects the unique geography of Evanston. The selection panel, comprised of local professional graphic designers, was impressed with the design’s simplicity, symbolism, and aesthetic appeal.
 Cc: Bernie with her orginally submitted design.
Winning Flag Symbolism
The flag features a prominent forest green background, symbolizing the abundance of Evanston’s urban tree canopy.
Near the center of the flag is a striking white star, representing the Grosse Point Lighthouse, a historic landmark. The star also signifies the lighthouse’s beacon of light, radiating from north to south, illuminating and guiding the community.
On the right side of the flag, a blue stripe represents the vast expanse of Lake Michigan, a defining geographical feature of Evanston and an important natural resource providing drinking water to multiple adjacent communities. Parallel to this stripe is a golden band, symbolizing the sandy beaches that border the lake.
The layout of the flag is inspired by an aerial view of Evanston, integrating its key natural elements into a cohesive and visually appealing design. Bernie’s mentor, Keith Glantz of Glantz Design, provided invaluable assistance in selecting the perfect colors and refining the star’s design.
 About the Contest
The contest began in August 2023 and was initiated after Mayor Biss was approached by Bill Simos, an art teacher at Evanston Township High School, who drew attention to the need for a new city flag. Young artists and designers from grades K-12 across Evanston participated this past school year, submitting over 200 designs. All submissions were received in 2023.
In early 2024, nine finalists were chosen by a group of local professional graphic designers. These designers were then paired with the finalists and volunteered their expertise to help perfect the young artists’ visions. This collaborative process not only refined the designs but also provided the students with insights into professional design practices.
After a difficult deliberation process, the panel of designers selected Bernie’s flag because of its unique ability to combine concrete Evanston-relevant symbolism with attractive and abstract design elements. The panel was also enormously impressed with the runner-up, Bridget Michaels, whose vibrant design demonstrated creativity and artistic skill.
Mayor Biss expressed his admiration for all the participants, stating, “What a joy this process was! I was beyond impressed by all the young artists, and I can’t wait to see what they continue to create. I also want to extend my deepest thanks to the judges, who gave very generously of their time and expertise, turning this project into a truly educational experience. Bernie’s flag will fly high, capturing the spirit of Evanston for years to come, and Bernie’s passion should serve as an inspiration to all of us.”
“There's a truth to the saying that the most innovative solutions are often the simplest. Similarly, the best ideas can sometimes come from those unburdened by the complexities of overthinking. The joy of a young mind,” said Keith Glantz. “I was incredibly proud and fortunate to have the opportunity to work with her and our team of local designers to bring this vision to life.”
Bernie Allen-Harrah expressed her excitement by sharing "When the Mayor told me I won, I was very very very excited. Keith and I tried out a lot of different ideas but we ended up really close to my original. I hope when people see my flag they will think about how to take care of Evanston’s nature for a really long time!”
Contest Finalists and Mentors (in alphabetical order)
- Adonis Alexander
- Bernie Allen-Harrah
- Bridget Michaels
- Churchill Daniels
- Grace Hansen
- Mentor: Yolanda Magpantay
- Jude Chadwick
- Luna Cosma
- Peter Elbakian
- Sophia Kwok
For more information, contact the City’s Communications Division by emailing communications@cityofevanston.org or dialing 847-448-4311. Community members may simply dial 3-1-1 while in Evanston.
Media Contacts:
Jessica Mayo
jmayo@cityofevanston.org
Phone: 847-448-8041
Cynthia Vargas
cvargas@cityofevanston.org
Phone: 847-448-8234
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