By RAFAEL BENAVIDES
Laredo now has a new official logo and motto that expresses pride for the city. The winner of the “Name the Pride in Laredo Theme Contest” was announced on May 16 at the City of Laredo Council Chamber.
Amparo Gutierrez Elementary School fourth grade honor student Isabella N. Mercado, 10, outshined 43 other contest entries in the approximately 30-day, city-wide contest promoted by both the City of Laredo and the local media. Other theme entries included PowerPoint presentations, songs, digital pieces, text phrases and original artwork.
Mercado, a native Laredoan, recently moved back to Laredo after living four years in Canada, where she and her family moved due to her father’s profession. She is glad to be back in Laredo and heard about this contest through a project with the National Elementary Honor Society at Amparo Gutierrez, which was formed just this past semester. NEHS student members must maintain a 94 grade point average, or higher, and must be involved on campus and in the community.
Mercado is a on the basketball team at her school and says she loves drawing. She wants to be either an artist or forensic scientist when she grows up.
Among receiving many gifts, passes and tickets from the Chamber of Commerce, Laredo Energy Arena and Allegiant Air, Gutierrez also has the satisfaction of knowing she has helped to create a better image for her city in a way that no one else has.
“You’re going to be remembered for this forever,” Mayor Raul Salinas said. The winning piece and now official slogan for a new marketing and tourism operation for Laredo is “Always a reason to celebrate in Laredo,” provided by Mercado, who’s colored drawing includes the old international bridge in Laredo, with a semicircular pattern on top comprised of all the seven flags that once claimed Laredo, and two new ones that seem to be promoting some famous institutions in the city, and a giant sun in the center.
Mercado says she was able to come up with the idea after brainstorming with her mom and younger sister.
Laredo Chamber of Commerce President Miguel Conchas said, “One of the reasons we started this contest is because Laredo has a bad rap.” Conchas, along with the mayor and other members of the contest committee, congratulated Mercado and her parents for their contribution to this campaign to rebrand Laredo as a safe and fun destination for tourist and new residents alike.