The township trustees and fiscal officer announced the winner of the Judy Haas-Jackson Township Flag Contest Jan. 25.
And the winner is Troy Hankins, a sixth grade student.
Troy’s design included the words “Pride, Friendship, Education, Community,” said Fiscal Officer Randy Gonzalez.
Trustees also liked another design that incorporated the JT logo of Jackson Township by Anthony Pizzino, the son of Board President John Pizzino.
“We didn’t know,” said Gonzalez, explaining the township received 117 submissions with numbers on the back of the work. No names or school of origin was given to the trustees and fiscal officer, who served as the judges.
“It was a tough decision,” said Gonzalez said of the judging process of the 117 works.
Troy received the $400 prize. Each trustee and the fiscal officer donated $100 of their own money for the cash prize.
But because they also liked Anthony’s design, Gonzalez joked that Trustee Pizzino will have to give his own son $400 from his own pocket.
Troy’s design will be used in the making of the township flag and for banners to be displayed along the new streetscape along Fulton and Wales, said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez told Troy that someday he can be proud and tell his children that he designed those banners and the township flag.
The entire concept of designing a township flag originated from Judy Haas, said Gonzalez.
“It’s important that we recognize the idea,” said Gonzalez.
He said Haas suggested years ago the idea of designing a township flag to wave at the Safety Center. Haas has been a huge supporter of the Jackson Township Historical Society and the community, he said.
Haas was presented with a framed certificate of appreciation.
Aaron Strickland, the Jackson High School student who organized the contest with the school district on behalf of the trustees, was presented a framed certificated by the trustees and Gonzalez.
