Wheatland County student winner of flag contest

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Staff and students at Wheatland Crossing School swelled with pride last week, as Wheatland County officials unveiled the municipality’s new flag at the school for the first time – an opportunity made possible owing to the design skills of one of the students.
Adam Baxter, who teaches robotics, new media, photography and computers, encouraged his students to enter the Wheatland County flag contest at the end of last year.
Wheatland Crossing school submitted 80 entries, and Grade 7 student Rosina Christensen’s design stood out of a total of 95 entries throughout the county that aimed to replace Wheatland County’s current flag.
“As luck would have it one of our students was able to win that contest … it’s meaningful because when you’re driving down the roads of Wheatland County, as you look up and see that flag waving, you’re going to know the person who designed it,” Baxter said to a gym full of students. “Design is important because it affects lives everywhere that we go. I think if we can get kids interested in design and being involved in design they’ll start making a difference in our schools, in our communities and in our province.”
Wheatland County Reeve Glenn Koester and Councillor Jason Wilson were in attendance on April 25 to reveal the flag. Christensen’s design showcases two of the county’s prime industries: grain and cattle. The flag depicts a white cow’s head representing the cattle industry, while the yellow wheat behind is based on the grain industry. A royal blue background aids in helping the two symbols stand out.
Wilson and Koester thanked Baxter and the students for their efforts and participation, then presented Christensen her prize – a blanket and other goodies.
The contest was made public last year when Wheatland County sought to upgrade their flag and searched for public input. Participants were provided with a template that included the Wheatland County logo, and were reminded the flag needed to be recognized from a distance, the colours of the flag should complement the colours of the logo, and the flag should represent the county, the area and the people within it.
“I think for students it’s amazing, they get to see that one of their peers is able to accomplish something great,” Baxter said. “I think it gives them the motivation and the confidence they need to say I can design, I can do great things.”