Request: Student Flag, Seal, and Motto Submissions for June 18, 2025

MAVA Colleagues,

At the request of our Executive Director, we are very pleased on behalf of Bob LePage, Assistant Secretary for Career Education, to extend this information concerning a competition for your Chapter 74 students. Additional information may be found below and at the following link:

The Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission is inviting students to contribute ideas and designs for a new state seal, flag, and motto. This initiative aims to create symbols that reflect the Commonwealth’s diverse history, values, and communities.

Submissions can include:

• Design sketches or concepts for a new seal

• Design sketches or concepts for a new flag

• Proposals for a new motto

Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission

Established by the Legislature in 2024, the Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission is tasked with developing and recommending new symbols to represent the state through a statewide public process.

Hi Bob,

Below I drafted an email to students in case helpful, but let me know if there’s some other comms that would be more suitable – we are looking for submissions for the state flag, seal, and motto.

Press release is here: https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-seal-flag-and-motto-advisory-commission-calls-for-public-submissions-to-reimagine-state-emblems

Could you share this with David (MAVA Comms for CTE graphic students), Karen Ward from Skills USA, and maybe Liz could ask any CTE Directors this doesn’t cover?

Subject: Help Redesign Massachusetts’ State Symbols – Submit Your Ideas by June 18

“Hello,

The Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission is inviting students to contribute ideas and designs for a new state seal, flag, and motto. This initiative aims to create symbols that reflect the Commonwealth’s diverse history, values, and communities.

Submissions can include:

  • Design sketches or concepts for a new seal
  • Design sketches or concepts for a new flag
  • Proposals for a new motto

The Commission encourages incorporating elements that represent Massachusetts’ natural heritage, such as the right whale, eastern white pine, elm tree, cranberries, the state’s geographic shape, or coastal imagery. However, all creative ideas that capture the spirit of Massachusetts are welcome.

The deadline for submissions is June 18, 2025. You can submit your ideas through the public submission portal on the Commission’s website: https://maexecutiveofficeofeconomicdevelopment.formstack.com/forms/massachusetts_flag_seal_and_motto_submissions

Following the gathering of submissions, the Advisory Commission will select three final options for each category and hold public hearings to solicit feedback and input on the state emblems.

This is a unique opportunity to leave a lasting mark on the state’s identity. We encourage you to participate and share your vision for Massachusetts’ future symbols.

Best regards,”

Thank you!

Casey

Casey Cunningham

Deputy Communications Director | Executive Office of Education

Mobile (617) 634-9173 WebMass.gov

Email casey.m.cunningham

1 Ashburton Pl #1403, Boston, MA 02108

Chapter 74 Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education

LEARNING THAT WORKS FOR MASSACHUSETTS

David J. Ferreira

MAVA Communications Coordinator

DavidFerreira