Avon High School, Middle Schools Launch Unified Athletics Brand
Writer / Kevin Carr
Photography Provided
Avon schools are entering a new era. This is most clearly seen in the renovation and expansion projects at Avon High School (AHS) and Pine Tree Elementary, and also in plans to build a new middle school west of Prestwick – all driven by steady enrollment growth.
For decades, thousands of AHS student-athletes have competed with the Avon Orioles logo on their jerseys. Thousands more students, parents and community members have proudly displayed it around town. It has been a point of pride, and it has served us well. However, along with this era of growth and excitement comes an opportunity to create a new athletic logo that is not only designed to work in digital formats, but also even more convincingly represents what it means to be an Avon Oriole to this generation of students.
That’s a challenge we’ve embraced with plenty of help from students, coaches and administrators. After a year of work, we’re proud to announce there’s a new bird in town.
What does it mean to be an Avon Oriole?
Ask AHS student leaders, and they’ll tell you:
- “It’s about having pride and bringing your all in what you do.” (Molly Williams).
- “We are tough, disciplined and strong.” (Ty Mead).
- “We have pride and passion.” (Stephen Onochie).
- “It means to be accountable, respectful and engaged, [working] together united as one.” (Jessica Hegedus).
- “We are driven, confident, courageous, inspiring, compassionate, loyal and adaptable.” (Jonathan Loh).
- “It means working with a diverse group of people to be a team.” (Amanda Logeais).
AHS student government and student-athlete leadership team members provided input and guidance that helped us reimagine and redesign the logo. Their enthusiastic endorsements have been invaluable: “That definitely has the swag for sports,” “The wings are cool,” “It’s easy to read,” “It looks modern,” “It’s unique and classic,” “That’s fire,” and, most importantly, “No teeth!” (Many pointed out, rightly, that orioles don’t have teeth.)
An opportunity for community unity
This project is an opportunity to build unity. This is most apparent in the adoption of the new logo at Avon Middle School North and South, and the yet-to-be-named new middle school. Middle school student-athletes will now have the chance to compete wearing the same logo they’ll wear at AHS.
We all will soon begin bumping into others wearing the new logo at games and around town, bringing a renewed sense of excitement and unity. We’re all Avon Orioles, after all.
A project by Avon, for Avon
To ensure this logo would be our own, we chose to work with a designer who, in addition to being a talented artist, lives in Avon. Because he is the father of three AHS grads, Todd Adkins (born-to-design.com) knows what makes Avon Orioles unique. He heard and implemented our feedback, and was an enthusiastic partner throughout the project. Those qualities are reflected in the final design.
Looking ahead
Learn more about the new logo, find out where you can purchase swag and discover how you can participate in launch activities by visiting avon-schools.org/orioles.
