When the newly formed nonprofit, San Tan Valley Advisory Council (STVAC), was building its website, council members turned to graphic arts students at Poston Butte High School to design the logo.

Instructor Jennifer Piercy gave the "client" request to her entire class, and submitted all designs. But the STVAC couldn't decide between Jonathan Contreras' brightly colored Arizona flag design or the more muted mountains and cactus designed by Valeria Bowers. So the two students, juniors at Poston Butte, figured out how to combine the two designs.

As a school administrator, STVAC President Joseph McKnight, wanted to find ways to get students involved. "They are our future, so it's helpful when they can be aware of organizations such as ours in Pinal County that are working to advance the priorities of all residents, even high school students. By having them design our logo, they needed to understand our purpose and the public we wanted to reach."

Valeria, who wants to be a graphic designer and animator, says, "The assignment came out of nowhere and surprised us because we were all working on other projects. The organization gave us some direction and specific colors they started to use on their website, which really helped."

"Once we sent them the combined design, there really were only little changes," adds Jonathan. "Except for the font. That needed to be changed to better express what the group wanted, their purpose."

Jonathan says he "started drawing for no purpose" at age 7. On a whim he picked graphic design as an elective class. Now he knows he wants to do design as a career, especially clip art for a gaming company.

Seeing their design actually being used by the Pinal County outreach group is gratifying, they agree. Jonathan and Valeria, along with the rest of their class, are now working on logos for food trucks. And the students are preparing for the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) regional contest for which they must design a men's clothing store, logo, interior, website, and at least one shirt.

"I just love being creative!" exclaims Valeria. And Jonathan, smiling, nods his agreement.