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Pride in Hubbard soars in contest
By LINDA M. LINONIS
HUBBARD
Photo
Tom Jacobs, center, and Joe Gleydura, Hubbard Township trustees, unveil the award-winning design of Tori Sylvester, left, daughter of Tony and Laura Sylvester of Doris Drive, Hubbard, that the township will use on flags. Flags will go to major businesses in the township as a way to thank them for investing in the community. One will fly at the township building.
It’s about community pride. And it will fly high in an original flag design.
At the trustees meeting earlier this week, Tori Sylvester was recognized as the winner of a flag-design contest. A fabric flag of her design was made for the occasion.
Tori, 16, submitted the design she worked on as an art-class assignment. A sophomore at Hubbard High School, she said she used an eagle prominently in the design because it’s the mascot of Hubbard athletics.
“I think the design and eagle stood out,” Tori said. “It blended together perfectly fine.”
Tori, a daughter of Tony and Laura Sylvester of Doris Drive, Hubbard, said her parents were proud of her accomplishment.
She received a $50 savings bond as recognition.
The idea for a township flag originated with John Pieton.
“I was thinking about how we could show our appreciation to businesses that are major investors in the community,” said the administrator of the Hubbard Township zoning department. He said a flag came to mind.
The idea was presented to the zoning commission in November of last year, and commission members discussed it with trustees. They budgeted $400 for the project.
Marilyn Wardle, a member of the five-person zoning commission, was named chair of the flag committee. She contacted Hubbard High School about having students submit designs.
“We had 71 entries from freshmen to seniors at Hubbard High,” she said. The guidelines were simple — the flag design had to include the year 1801 when the township was founded.
The entries were posted in the meeting room of the township building at 2600 Elm Road. Many featured a red, white and blue color scheme; some incorporated the outline of the state of Ohio. The eagle, the symbol of American freedom and mascot of Hubbard sports, played a prominent role in many designs including four of the six finalists and the winner.
Township Trustees Fred Hanley, Tom Jacobs and Joe Gleydura each picked two entries then the zoning commission selected the winner.
“Though everyone had a favorite, the group was able to agree on a winner,” Wardle said.
Wardle had the fabric flag made in time for the trustees meeting. Tori’s design was originally done in black and white, but Wardle said a discussion with Tori led to adding blue to the design.
“I was impressed with the quality, imagination and number of entries,” Wardle said. “The flag is about community pride. Hubbard Township is a nice place to live and a way to show businesses that we appreciate them being here.”
Initially, the zoning commission will have 10 flags made.
The flags will be offered to major businesses in the township, and one will be flown at the township building.
Wardle said stickers of the design also will be available.