City of Flag Design Contest Entries

Eric Orozco – First Place The main element of my design is the traditional Simi “brand” icon of the valley landscape with hills. I feel it is important to keep this Simi Brand in place, while at the same time updating the overall look with the addition of a setting sun and a more contemporary color palette of gradated blues, oranges, and green. Simi Valley is known for great sunsets and green hills, which is also represented in my design.

Janice Rodnunsky – Second Place Three wave stripes symbolize the three major periods in Simi Valley history, as well as representing the curve of the valley, the sloping surrounding foothills and history of transportation through Simi Valley. Eight Stars: Represents the 8 stars found in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library symbol, noting the significance of Simi Valley being the Library’s home.

Arrad Rahgoshay – Third Place Though the flag is very simplistic in its form, it subtly represents and glorifies the beautiful City of Simi Valley throughout its history. The two primary colors used in the design are green and glue, both of which are fundamentally found in nature. The blue symbolized the immense valleys and skyrocketing mountains of the City, while the green portrays the blooming terrain of the Parks. Evidently in the center, there are three yellow stars. These represent the three eras of Simi Valley since its existence. The stars symbolize the early Chumash period, the Spanish period, and the infamous Pioneer period. Each time frame has allowed for Simi to expand from a small colony and develop into the city it is today. In the center, lying in a crest, the outline of the American Flag is shown. As one of the most insightful parts of the design, it shows that Simi Valley is committed to being a genuine American city with patriotic morals and also highlights the fact that the City has a presidential library of its own. The beams in the background expand in every direction, making the name Simi Valley shine in it nobility.

Ashley Bestamonte

The triangle stands for the past and shows you can power things without chemicals in batteries. The blue stripes stand for the great time we have now. I chose yellow stripes for the future where goals will be successful and Simi Valley will be better.

Gloria Catuna

Past: Chumash pictograph for the past. Present: Oak tree Branch for strength and endurance. Future: Wild Rose for beauty and longevity. Note: I have permission from Ojai Museum and Indian Council to use the pictograph swirly background representing wind.

Kristine Ly

An Oak tree because a lot stood in Simi Valley and it is the #1 tree.

Carl Sheido

I drew three different colored houses, brown mountains and some gray clouds.

Paige Pelletier

I used the Rose as a symbol of our City’s flower. The stars on my flag link to the state flag and the flag. I put the sun on my flag because it is always sunny in Simi Valley.

Carsy Parle

The hills, a house, and mention of the Ronald Reagan Library

Angelina Toste

The mountains and trees represent the beautiful views of nature. The Ronald Reagan Library represents an important place in our City. The houses in my picture represent the wonderful community and people.

Paige Claghorn

The hills and parks of Simi Valley

Jade Madayag

Stars are for the State Yellow is for leadership.

Jenna Lazarus

Everything means special to me. Simi Valley means enough to me. The movies in Simi Valley and the Ronald Reagan Library.

Nancy Lukunich

I watch the City Council meetings…and the wall behind the dais says it all. The beautiful green looks like our hills that surround us...the constant “welcome home” that we all enjoy…whether we have traveled to Europe or just “over the hill”…there is nothing like their beauty (as long as we have some rain, of course), when we make the descent back into our valley. The simplicity of our logo (our hills) and City of Simi Valley says it all. I believe the gold lettering for City of Simi Valley, as well as the logo, against the lush green background will make a flag we will always be proud of. William Avnon

None.

Alexis Shiber

It is a purple, green, and blue happy dragon. I got the idea from the dragon statue in the mall.

Shayna Apellbaum

This flag design represents the utter beauty, simplicity, and natural lifestyle of living in the amazing place that is Simi Valley. It also shows it’s an all­American town.

Barbra Williamson

Design depicts the City seal, mountain(s) and motto “Home of the Ronald Reagan Library”. It is also a reflection of the City stationary and business cards

David Sgambellone Red: Represents the citizens of the City as the life­ blood and valley floor/foundation. Green: Represents the prosperity of the City; its overall beauty as these two colors compliment each other. Gold or Tan: Represents uniqueness that separates Simi Valley from any other City by its location within the continuous mountain range. Sky: It is divided into two shades of blue as a reminder of our great weather. Also, the citizens that work for the City are working together to make Simi Valley a wonderful place to live and work. The small division in the sky reminds us that we can have different opinions, but use these divisions to make the overall City of Simi Valley a great place to live and work. Ariana Villalobos In my design I included the past, present, and future. Past: I drew a Chumash Indian village with the Chief watching the sunrise (left). Present: I drew the Ronald Regan Presidential library, representing our beloved president of the past (middle). Future: A part of Simi Valley, promising more jobs and education for our future (right).

Rachael Brasswell Oranges: Stand for the orange orchards that were where the Public Library and Kohl’s are now located. Background color: Yellow, because of Simi High School colors. Cow: The cow stands for settlers that came to Simi Valley. Acorns and woven baskets: Stand for Chumash Indians that lived in the valley. “City of Simi Valley”: Maroon in color because it is another Simi High School color. Hills & Sun: Hills are Simi Valley and the sun is for the starting of a better economy. Jose Bernal

I incorporated some of the Simi Valley Seal, Ronald Reagan Library, and what I call Happy Face Hill. I looked at the Simi Valley Seal and decided to incorporate the oranges and the nuts as the border, I picked Ronald Reagan and decided to put him in black and white because even though he is dead, he is one of my idols as a person, actor, and beloved President of the United States of America; his spirit walks among us and will never be forgotten for the impact he has made to the United States and to the world. I ereally lik going to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library; it is one of my favorite places in Simi Valley. The Happy Face Hill is one of my favorite things in Simi Valley as well. Every time we leave I see on one side of the hill a heart and on the other side a Happy Face. I put Happy Face Hill because I always look forward to seeing it every time we leave Simi Valley or come back. Thank you for the opportunity and I hope you pick mine!

Ela Brzezinski White, with Chumash Rock Painting Symbol – The name, “Simi” comes from the Chumash word “Shimiji”, meaning little white clouds” (the kind of clouds you find during the East Wind or Santa Ana’s. Blue – The Ocean Brown ­ The mountains Light Green – The valley No one is absolutely certain about the meaning of the Chumash Rock Art or symbols, but scholars generally agree that is connected with religion and astronomy. We can only guess what those mysterious symbols meant to their creators. They may represent mystic figures, natural phenomena or abstract concepts. The most common symbol or painting in Chumash tRock Ar is a circle with spokes surrounded by other circles, some concentric, which are believed to be sparks of the sun. Paint pigments came mostly from minerals. Red was made from an iron oxide called hematite or red ochre. Chumash Rock paintings are irreplaceable cultural heritage, the oldest history of Simi Valley. I used the most common symbol from the Chumash art – a circle for the flag to memorialize the spirit of , who are an important part of history in Simi Valley. Ela Brzezinski Light Green, with Chumash Rock painting­symbol – The valley. Dark Green: The mountains Blue – The ocean. Chumash Rock Art – No one is absolutely certain about the meaning of the Chumash Rock Art or symbols, but scholars generally agree that is connected with religion and astronomy. We can only guess what those mysterious symbols meant to their creators. They may represent mystic figures, natural phenomena or abstract concepts. The most common symbol or painting in Chumash Rock Art is a circle with spokes surrounded by other circles, some concentric, which are believed to be sparks of the sun. Paint pigments came mostly from minerals. Red was made from an iron oxide called hematite or red ochre. Chumash Rock paintings are irreplaceable cultural heritage, the oldest history of Simi Valley. I used the most common symbol from the Chumash art – a circle for the flag to memorialize the spirit of Chumash people, who are an important part of history in Simi Valley.

Ela Brzezinski White with Chumash Rock painting­symbol – The name Simi comes from the Chumash word “Shimiji”, meaning little white cloud”. (the kind of clouds you find during the East Wind or Santa Ana’s). Light Green: The valley. Reddish Brown: The mountains. Chumash Rock Art – No one is absolutely certain about the meaning of the Chumash Rock Art or symbols, but scholars generally agree that is connected with religion and astronomy. We can only guess what those mysterious symbols meant to their creators. They may represent mystic figures, natural phenomena or abstract concepts. The most common symbol or painting in Chumash Rock Art is a circle with spokes surrounded by other circles, some concentric, which are believed to be sparks of the sun. Paint pigments came mostly from minerals. Red was made from an iron oxide called hematite or red ochre. Chumash Rock paintings are irreplaceable cultural heritage, the oldest history of Simi Valley. I used the most common symbol from the Chumash art – a circle for the flag to memorialize the spirit of Chumash people, who are an important part of history in Simi Valley. Nina Haro In considering a flag design to represent our City, I felt it should be bold and easily recognizable. Therefore, I included our City’s seal and our green valley logo. The colors black and white inspired by our police force and symbolized our reputation for being one of the safest City’s in the nation. Black and white also serves as a color element to balance out the City seal – also black and white. The color blue ­ Inspired by our National flag. The horizontal blue band depicts Simi Valley’s location near the Pacific ocean. Design choices were made to produce a flag that can be reproduced in various sizes and still be legible and clean. Wilmar Colmenares Colors used by the City of Simi Valley with the official City seal.

Raul Cervantes

I used a horse, which resembles Power, Grace, Beauty, Nobility, Strength, and Freedom. I used the sun setting behind the mountains with wind blowing threw to represent the beauty of Simi Valley and how peaceful and safe it is as well as very relaxing to take a nice hike through those mountains. I drew a book with different stories in it popping out to represent our future which is our schools opening up the eyes of the young kids that the future is theirs and to be creative and explore; to take advantage of the beauty of life and have a successful future. I added forty stars to represent our 40th President, Ronald Reagan, a President that believed we could shape our individual and collective destinies by rediscovering the traditional values of hard work, patriotism, personal responsibility, optimism, and faith. I truly enjoyed drawing this flag and I hope the City of Simi Valley will like it as well. I believe it represents a loving, peaceful, and beautiful community with a bright future.

Timothy Belfield The traditional seal and logo against a light blue background representing typical weather and consistence with our sister City, Moorpark.

Benjamin Hiebert I thought a sunset would be nice, because I have seen many beautiful sunsets in Simi Valley. I also added parts of the Simi Valley seal because it felt a bit empty without anything but the sunset.

Celene Leiva Red: To represent California Gold Stars: To represent sophisticated beauty Triangles: to represent the beautiful Santa Susana Mountain Range.

Eddy Lyons The design shows elements from Simi Valley’s history. The sun motif was prevalent in rock petro glyphs of the Chumash tribes. The cogwheel represents the industrial nature of the economy through its history. The orange circle is from the City seal and represents the citrus industry. The white stripe on a blue background represents the origin of the work Simi in the Chumash language, meaning small clouds.

Eddy Lyons The design shows elements from Simi Valley’s history. The sun motif was prevalent in rock petro glyphs of the Chumash tribes. The cogwheel represents the industrial nature of the economy through its history. The orange circle is from the City seal and represents the citrus industry. The atom design is also from the City seal and represents the science sector. The whole design sits in a valley, as represented on the city logo.

Joshua Chowdhury Seal – To represent Simi Valley Colors – Chosen because I think they would make good City colors.

Janice Rodnunsky Three wave stripes symbolize the three major periods in Simi Valley history, as well as representing the curve of the valley, the sloping surrounding foothills and history of transportation through Simi Valley. First Wave Stripe: Symbolizes the Chumash period in Simi Valley history, noting that the word Shimji from the Chumash language is thought to be a word meaning

“little white clouds” created from the Santa Ana winds, therefore the blue represents the sky and the origin of the word Simi. Second Wave Stripe: Represents the Adobe period, as well as the golden­colored hills throughout Simi. Third Wave Stripe: Represents the pioneer period and Simi Valley being established as a area of commerce, citrus growing, and being a railroad stop in line for the movement of goods throughout California. The circle: the circle can have multiple meanings, such as representing citrus growing, the beautiful sunrises and sunsets we see in the valley, symbolizing growth for the future of Simi Valley. Oak Leaves: Symbolize the California Live Oak, seen throughout Simi Valley as well as being a part of Chumash culture. Eight Stars: Represents the 8 stars found in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library symbol, noting the significance of Simi Valley being the Library’s home. I have included some versions of the same basic flag design, which include the City’s Seal, however my research of flag design, according to the North American Vexillology Association (NAVA), a group that studies flag design, seals of any kind are discouraged from being used in good flag design, due to the lack of readability in the detail of many city seals, on the scale of a flag. Therefore, I created some flag designs without the seal, but still included some with the seal, if that is a requirement for the City’s flag design. Words: “City of Simi Valley” and “Simi Valley, Inc. 1969” as another option on text on the flag. Text can also be removed or easily changed.

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Janice Rodnunsky

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Oak Leaf: I drew the oak leaf from a photo I took of the oak tree near my house. The Red Tail Hawk was also drawn from a photo. The design ideas were all created using Adobe Illustrator. Color Choices: Chosen to represent the look and feel of Simi Valley; to be bold enough to be seen from afar, and to not represent any school in the area. Variations in colors are included in this document as alternative choices. The same symbolism of the wave stripes, stars, and oak leaves continues in these variations, just with a change of tones and colors as alternatives.

Eddy Lyons The design shows elements from Simi Valley’s history. The sun motif was prevalent I rock petro glyphs of the Chumash tribes. The cogwheel represents the industrial nature of the economy through its history. The orange circle is from the City seal and represents the citrus industry. The atom design is also from the City seal and represents the science sector. The whole design sits in a valley, as represented on the city logo.

Eddy Lyons The design shows elements from Simi Valley’s history. The sun motif was prevalent I rock petro glyphs of the Chumash tribes. The cogwheel represents the industrial nature of the economy through its history. The orange circle is from the City seal and represents the citrus industry. The white objects represent the origin of the work “Simi in the Chumash language, meaning small clouds.

Eddy Lyons The design shows elements from Simi Valley’s history. The sun motif was prevalent I rock petro glyphs of the Chumash tribes. The cogwheel represents the industrial nature of the economy through its history. The orange circle is from the City seal and represents the citrus industry. The design raises above the white rooftops of the original “Colony” and the buildings of the modern City, representing pride in the past and movement towards the future.

Eddy Lyons The design shows elements from Simi Valley’s history. The sun motif was prevalent I rock petro glyphs of the Chumash tribes. The cogwheel represents the industrial nature of the economy through its history. The orange circle is from the City seal and represents the citrus industry. The white stripes on blue background represents the origin of the word “Simi” in the Chumash language, meaning small clouds. They also form a stylized “S: on the blue background.

Eddy Lyons The colors reflect the Spanish, Mexican, and American heritage of the area. The sun is rising through the valley. The coast live oak leaf and acorn are official symbols of the City.

Eddy Lyons The California Wild Rose is a symbol of the City. The colors are Mexican and Californian. The rose is crowned from every direction symbolizing a bright place in Ventura County and the metro area. The rose and star shapes are rising near the top representing a bright future.

Eddy Lyons A river flowing through a valley, as seen through Grandma Prisbrey’s Bottle Village.

Eddy Lyons The colors are those of Mexico, California and Simi Valley High School. The stars represent the Native American Chumash people, the Spanish explorers, the Mexican heritage and American Sovereignty. The starts form the shape of the Simi Valley itself.

Eddy Lyons

The field is in the shape of a valley. The emblem in the middle is a stylized rendering of the pictographs at Burro Flats.

Douglas Lee On the upper left of the flag is Whiteface Mountain and the Santa Susana Pass in the upper right. The sun over the hills is suppose to be five thin circles representing the sun in the Chumash drawing at Burrow Flats in Simi Valley (in my drawing they merged into one large filled I circle). The Strathearn House in the lower left along with a picture of the Ronald Reagan Statue from the Presidential Library to the right.

Angela Randazzo The sunburst ­ Our City’s sunny outlook on the future and warm weather. The family ­ Our valley is a great place to raise a family and the family values of the residents. Flow Chart ­ Our thriving businesses and upward trend for the future. Shaking Hands ­ Cooperation and our willingness to help each other. Mountains represent our beautiful valley and our love of nature.

Eddy Lyons Sunshine and colors of local architecture. “SV” – Stands for Simi Valley

Eddy Lyons Colors of California flag and sunshine.

Joshua Chowdhury Seal – To represent Simi Valley Colors: Maroon & White / Simi Valley High School Colors

Lee Martin One of the greatest things about Simi Valley is our location. This represents that from my perspective. The dark blue vertical stripe on the left represents the ocean to our west, the light blue horizontal strip represents the mountains to the north of Simi Valley (Whiteface Mountain) and the dark green horizontal stripe at the bottom represents the mountains south of Simi Valley, and the Star represents the City of Simi Valley, I brought my family here almost 10 years ago partly because of the location. The weather is great with the ocean sending its cool breeze right up the canyon to us and the valley helps us feel like a community.

Don Oliver The beautiful, well­planned City of Simi Valley, nestled in the hills northwest of Los Angeles, is represented graphically in this flag design by a simple intersecting pattern with elements that incorporate a subtle abstract symbolism. The left and right planes feature color gradients drawn from the palette of the seasonal flora of our hillsides, with the prominent peaceful green section dominating. The red and blue lines firstly represent Simi Valley’s outstanding fire and police departments, respectively. The red also suggest the wildfires we occasionally experience in the hills, and the blue symbolized the peaceful and stable growth our City had enjoyed for many years. The sturdy yet refined font for the City’s name is chosen to reflect the quality of the business and civic leadership. The five­spoke yellow sun at the intersection of the hillside is based on a design found in a Chumash Native American cave painting, and gfor this fla it symbolized a combination of the timeless lure of the American West, the citrus agricultural history of Simi Valley, the radiant energy of the City of Los Angeles beyond our valley, and a shining future for new generations of Simi Valley residents.

Gerard Cadiz Inspired by Pink Floyd album cover “Dark Side of the Moon”. Prisms represent mountains around Simi Valley. Spectrum represents all of the colorful people of Simi Valley. Two light beams passing through two prisms create a spectrum of color in the valley between the prisms.

Wilmar Colmenares Simple colors used by the City of Simi Valley in buses and logos in general.