Freedom Flight Coin Design Contest

GCISD Freedom Flight

Coin Design Contest

Create an original design that will represent “GCISD Project FREEDOM” with a logo that captures both GCISD as well as the American ideals of freedom, sacrifice, and honor.

Sample Coin:

One design will be selected as a symbol of GCISD Project FREEDOM. The designer of the selected coin will become an ambassador for GCISD and accompany WWII veterans on a Freedom Flight to Washington DC to visit our nation’s capital and the WWII memorial in late May. The chosen design for this challenge coin will be created on actual challenge coins, which will be replicated and presented to each participant in the Freedom Flight. 

Coin designs will be evaluated by the following criteria:

·         Message communicates the theme

·         Reproducibility of the design

·         General appeal

The Challenge Coin's Rich Personal History

During World War I, a wealthy lieutenant had custom challenge coins minted for all those in his unit to commemorate their loyalty to the ongoing war effort. Narrowly escaping the Germans, one pilot in this unit presented his personal challenge coin to French soldiers as he had no other identification, and had his life spared. That inspired the other members in this pilot's unit to carry their military challenge coins with them at all times.

The Meaning Behind Challenge Coins:

Challenge coins are no longer exclusively used by the military. They remain popular with schools and universities, sports and academic teams, businesses, and organizations as well as the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard. The highly personalized nature of custom challenge coins makes them an ideal memory piece for commemorative events and groups. Not only do they promote individual strength and courage, they inspire teamwork and camaraderie as well.

Examples of Coins:

Symbolism:

The use of powerful symbols will be important in the design.  Possible starting points might include symbols of one or several of the following: GCISD, WWII, honor, sacrifice, Freedom Flight, freedom, or partnership of students and veterans. One side of the coin will include the yellow ribbon (a symbol widely recognized as an expression of support for the troops), the American Flag, and the American Airlines logo.  The chosen design will be on the other side of that coin. There will be text circling the final design to commemoratethe Freedom Flight, and include the Freedom Flight date.

Have a conversation with a veteran YOU know to find out what would be meaningful to THEM!