Name the Pride in Laredo Winning Entry
Written by Post Public Information Representative, May 17, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
Name the Pride in Laredo winning entry has a reason to celebrate Laredo’s pride
(Laredo, TX ) For approximately 30 days, Laredoans were asked to submit their ideas for a new Laredo logo/motto that expressed pride in our great city. After 43entries, including: two songs; two Power Point presentation slides, a few digital entries, several posters and original pieces of art in various formats, and dozens of text phrases, one clear winner has emerged as the new logo for this great city, one that truly reflects Laredo pride.
“Always a Reason to Celebrate in Laredo!” was the winning phrase and artwork submitted by Isabella N. Mercado, a fourth grader at Amparo Gutierrez Elementary School.
“What a wonderfully perfect motto to sum up the joy and pride of living in such a great city,” said City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas. “This young lady shows a creativity and vision that taps into the heart and soul of Laredo and has come up with a phrase that everyone will proudly shout at the top of their lungs to any naysayers who may continue to knock our fair Laredo.”
The selection committee particularly liked the adaptability of the phrase and the artwork that she submitted. The artwork incorporates Laredo’s history and culture through the use of the seven flags – a uniquely Laredo feature – local festivals and events, collegiate team mascots, a jalapeño logo, the WBCA logo and several other logos. It also has a depiction of an arched bridge span with a rising sun incorporated into the middle of her art work. It is certainly colorful and positive, something the committee felt was also important to convey.
According to Blasita Lopez, City of Laredo Convention & Visitors Bureau Director and Name the Pride in Laredo Committee chair, another outstanding quality of the entry was the fact that the moto can be a stand-alone phrase to use as an overall theme for Laredo pride, or easily be used by other organizations, a particular cause or even an already established event. Here are a couple of examples of what is envisioned: “Always a reason to celebrate hunting in Laredo” to promote sport activities or the Cola Blanca Hunting Contest. “Always a reason to celebrate youth in Laredo” to promote an event like the Spring
Break Kite Festival Dia de Los Niños. “Always a reason to celebrate life in Laredo” to promote organ donation or cancer survivors. “Always a reason to celebrate patriotism in Laredo”to promote alongside the 4th of July, Sept. 11 or WBCA. “Help me congratulate this proud little Laredoan and start telling everyone you know, there IS ‘Always a Reason to Celebrate in Laredo!’” concluded Mayor Salinas.
Isabella is a native Laredoan, born here 10 years ago, but thanks to her father’s job, has spent the last four years in Canada. The family recently returned to Laredo about a year ago. She is an honor student in Cindy Sherwood’s class and developed her theme through a project with the National Elementary Honor Society at Amparo Gutierrez, which was formed just this past semester. NEHS student members must maintain a 94 GPA or higher, must be involved on campus and must volunteer for community service projects. Additionally, Isabella is also an athlete, playing basketball for the school team.
Isabella’s inspiration for the phrase came from moving back to Laredo.
“When we moved back a year ago, we spent a lot of time with our family and celebrated being HOME. After that, every time we barbequed, my little sister Alyssa would ask ‘What are we were celebrating now?’ She thought that just because we were getting together, it meant that we had to be celebrating something,” said Isabella. “That is how I feel about Laredo. Every barbeque, every WBCA event, every Laredo Bucks game and every concert at the LEA are ALL celebrations. There is always something to do in Laredo with family or friends. Big or small, there is ‘Always a Reason to Celebrate in Laredo.’”
Two other outstanding entries, which won Honorable Mention as 2nd place and 3rd respectively, were submitted by Jan Little – phrase – and Pilar York – original artwork.
The selection committee was composed of members of the entire Name the Pride in Laredo Committee, including: ALBA; BMP Radio; City of Laredo Fire, PD, City Mgr, PIO & CVB; El Mañana/Rio/Femina; Guerra Communications; KGNS-Pro8News; KLDO-Univision; KVTV-CBS; Laredo Chamber of Commerce; Laredo Energy Arena; Laredo I.S.D.; Laredo Main Street; Laredo Morning Times; LareDOS; Lamar Outdoor Advertising; Texas A&M International University; Time Warner Cable; United I.S.D.
