150th Logo Contest Winners: 1/31/24

Dear PYLUSD Community,

We are thrilled to announce the results of the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District’s (PYLUSD) 150th Anniversary Logo Design Contest! The response has been overwhelming, with an impressive 102 entries submitted by our talented high school students from across the district. The pride and passion these students have for our school district were evident in each creative design.

After careful consideration, which included feedback from our Superintendent’s Advisory Committees and other district leaders, we have identified the top three winning designs that truly encapsulate the spirit of PYLUSD's rich history and commitment to excellence in education. These designs will play a pivotal role in commemorating our 150 years of educational excellence!

Join us in congratulating our talented winners.

1st Place: Bill Meng, Valencia High School, 11th Grade

Graphic Design Teacher: Mr. Brian Johnson

When asked about the inspiration behind his design, Bill shared the following: "I wanted to center the “150” and make it the largest component of the design in order to drive the reader’s attention towards just how long the Placentia Yorba-Linda Unified School District has been around for. I also noticed that the inside of the “0” could be an opportunity to include elements of the original PYLUSD logo, and so I simplified and created a more modern version of the schoolhouse from the PYLUSD logo and placed it inside. I wrapped the rest of the text around the “150” to incorporate all of the words together nicely into a single shape."

2nd Place: Jenevieve Goyer, El Dorado High School, 9th Grade

Graphic Design Teacher: Mr. David Block

When asked about the inspiration behind her design, Jenevieve shared the following: "This design features the Placentia water tower, and the mountain range visible behind it to invoke a sense of familiarity. The schoolhouse from the original design is also there, paying homage to it. The design uses all of the provided colors, with the name of the district displayed on a golden ribbon. I did this to once again pay homage to the original design. I used a diamond shape because it is more distinct, and shows a new, fresh take on the PYLUSD logo."

3rd Place: Nathaniel DeBree, El Dorado High School, 9th Grade

Graphic Design Teacher: Mr. David Block

"When asked about the inspiration behind his design, Nathaniel shared the following: “My design uses the old schoolhouse to represent the roots of our school district, and to commemorate the enormous growth that has taken place to take us from a tiny schoolhouse to an enormous school district spanning multiple cities. The hills are in the design because they are an essential part of our heritage; they are where the Yorba family found oil and kickstarted Orange County’s economy. The numbers “150” rise like the sun, showing the enormity of this occasion and the bright future this district strives to give to its students.”

Our three winners will be formally recognized by the Board of Education at a meeting on March 12. Thanks to a generous donation from local community member Mr. Mark Holman, our top three winners will also receive cash awards.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our student participants for their artistic contributions, which in large part reflects the dedication of our design teachers who equip them with the skills and knowledge to create such works of art. The winning design will be showcased prominently during our 150th-anniversary year, leaving an indelible mark on our district's history.

Thank you all for being a part of our school district, and congratulations once again to our talented winners!

Sincerely,

Dr. Alex Cherniss

Superintendent of Schools

Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District

Putting Kids First