New Hawk pays homage to school

HOUSTON -- A contest at Houston Middle School has resulted in a new hawk design for the school's logo. Though the middle school has been in the same building for years, the move of the high school to its own separate building has been cause for celebration.

"This is a new school in an old building," said principal Andy Murr. "We've got lots of new staff and lots of new things."

The contest, which challenged middle school students to design a new Hawk logo, had 20 entries. The designs were judged twice; once by the students and once by the community at large. The winner of the community vote, seventh-grader Danielle Barney's "Take Flight" design, will be the new logo for the school's T shirts, sweatshirts and letterhead. The winner of the school's vote, eighth-grader Krystal Tanner's Seahawk design, will be used as a logo for some of the school's sports teams. Because Tanner's design resembles that of the Seattle Seahawks, Murr will get permission from the National Football League before incorporating the logo into the school's system.

As part of the celebration of the new school, Murr said he plans to frame all of the original entries and put them behind glass in the school.

"It will be a permanent part of the school," he said.

Patricia Kohut, a teacher at Houston and the coordinator of the hawk contest, said the student government is planning a number of events throughout the year to boost school spirit.

"We really want to encourage school unity," Kohut said.