I USED TO THINK “NIKE” HAD THE MOST POWERFUL LOGO
I teach Digital and Interactive Media for a class at John H. Reagan High School in Houston Texas. Motivation is probably the biggest deficit at our school. Our kids come from really poor situations, gang infested neighborhoods where the sound of a gunshot doesn’t even phase them. It isn’t easy to get them motivated to do anything.
My friend Dawn Carroll was telling me about her mentoring project, the Over My Shoulder Foundation. She asked me, what could I do for National Mentoring Month. What could I do to make a difference? Huh? Make a difference? I’m a teacher. I thought all I had to do was show up to make a difference.
She told me she needed a logo for her concept of “Mentorology”, (motivating others through mentoring is mentorology) . Her assignment was: “Ask the kids to come up with dazzling, cool ideas; the logo has to “glam” up the mentoring mission.” I suddenly realized my motivation had been missing, too. Dawn and I decided to set up a logo contest for my class. When I introduced this to my students I was really excited about it and they could tell. No one was wondering why my laid back self was so excited, they just listened. When I was done talking….something special had happened. I saw kids that hadn’t done anything all year take charge and kick butt on this little project.
Jesse
Jesse is what I refer to as a flat liner. Jesse has been in my class all year, and has attempted to do maybe one or two assignments.
The day I announced the logo contest, I had to replace Jesse’s computer with a brand new computer. I’m thinking. “There’s no way I should waste this new computer and let any flat liners sit there.” After I went over the assignment, there was Jesse, browsing the internet. I didn’t pay attention to what he was looking at. I told Jesse “You should really try this assignment. If the Foundation likes your logo, they will use it and you could be known.” Jesse replied back that he was researching his logo, since he didn’t have the software yet. I’m thinking, all he is doing is trying to watch rap videos on the computer. I was too busy with other students to address this.
The next day there was Jesse, working on the logo. I gave it a closer look and it was looking pretty good; actually it was looking better than most I had seen. Jesse had a few questions, and when I tried to show him what to do he almost got mad. He only wanted a little guidance. He would not let me touch the mouse. This is one of those teaching moments that remind you why you are a teacher. Jesse was taking ownership in this assignment. He was going to do it, and no one could take any ownership over his logo.
This whole project has changed my teaching outlook. After teaching for so many years it gets routine. I know I had lost the enthusiasm I am capable of to get my students interested, but this little project has brought that back. This logo project has started a graphic arts club, with kids flocking to join it.
Now I’m trying to get graphic companies to get involved in our co-op program so these kids can get a job with a graphic company, instead of the typical clerical job that most students get. I’m thinking about my students more, coming up with interesting assignments, and thinking about cool things to do in our class.
Wait a minute…no, it couldn’t be! Teaching is fun again. This is one of those unique experiences where you think you are being a mentor but end up becoming the mentee – and my students have inspired me.
Working on this project has helped my students get motivated. It has brought out talents they didn’t know they had, and has recharged my passion for teaching. It’s amazing the power and influence one little logo can have. This is “MENTOROLOGY”
David Messina
Multi Media Teacher at John H Reagan High School in Houston Texas
\”Final Logo on YouTube\” <—– click here
David Messina is a Career and Technology teacher at John H. Reagan High School in Houston, TX. David has been a high school teacher for eleven years all at Reagan High School. He got involved with the Over My Shoulder Foundation by a chance reconnection with childhood friend Dawn Carroll. Dawn told David about the foundation and David thought this mentoring project would tie in to his classes that were focusing on graphic arts.
About 
What I like about this project is everything, because this shows you how are you and how you feel, even people will notice what you try to show to them. I know my logo is not that good as others, there are so many increadible logos on here, mine is simple but for one reason, they put mine on here.
The project that we as a class were assigned; mentrology based, was very interesting. My project alone was based on volume, and music since main teenagers live for music. I did in fact have a very fun time creating my own logo.
Mentrology rocks!
-Veronica
Love The Logo
I think the logos are awesome. I hope ya’ll find a winner soon.
I think the mentorology logos came out really good.!
I like that my drawing helped kids and I enojoyed doing it
I love how these logos came out, they’re so cool & also love how mine is one of the firsts
!!
Nice mentorology logos…enjoyed making one
I can say that I enjoyed working through the process of making this. I had many ideas and I loved doing this project because I used all that I knew to create a logo design for this website. To me personally I made one of these logos because to me, it had represented a club for stuff involving school, and I thought: well a light bulb in ways means “think” so I created that logo. But mainly I enjoyed creating this and proud to see it is posted.
Thank You.
I’m a student at Reagan High School and created a digital logo for the Mentorology Logo Contest. I loved this project because I could use the knowledge I’ve learned in my technology class (taught by David Messina) toward a great cause ! (:
This was a good experience it made me think of new ways to share logos an create new things, not for myself but for others.
I don’t have much creativity but this project was really engaging. Although animating my logo became very tedious due to technical difficulties, the final product was great to see. I didn’t know I could have done that. So yes, this mentorology project was pretty awesome. :]
It’s incredible how energized the students and teacher David Messina were over this project and how everyone participated. It ‘s interesting how ultimately Messina discovered that the students in fact came to mentor him and re-energized his dedication to teaching. Mentorology is full circle! Assignments like this are valuable because it exposes kids to the possibility of real careers and helps them envision a future that includes them. To the students in Mr. Messina’s class: This is just the beginning. Keep up the good work. You proved that there is enormous creativity and talent just hiding under the veneer of “cool” Don’t be afraid to shine! -Sign me “An admirer from Massachusetts”
I think this competition is good for the kids because it gives them a chance to see if they enjoy doing this and have great potential. My logo is just what I thought it would look like, I was listening to a song and I just got the idea from the song. Overall I enjoyed this experience.
Hello I’m Micheal I really appreciate you guys publishing my logo it was an exciting experience and I look forward to creating more logos for you thanks with much appreciation your pal. Micheal
This mentor program was very inspiring when I was in the process of making my mentorology logo. My teacher Mr. Messina is a great teacher, he explained and helped me through out the whole project. I loved my mentorology logos and I hope other people will like them too. =)
I Just Love My Class. Sometimes I Dont Wanna Do it.. But I Have To Because.. Its For A Grade & I Love Doing Work, I Love Mr Messina Class HE’S A BEAST – THE BEST TEACHER I HAVE EVER MET – WE ALL LOVE YOU !
Thank you for the experience and extra motivation!
This was a fun experince making the mentorology logo. I learned so many neat things that will be useful in the future dealing with graphics and other things. Mr. Messina is a good teacher and taught us well, he has skills! It was such a creative and amazing project to do I enjoyed doing it.
thank you.
what I liked about the project is that you do what you want and express how you feel the design express how you feel
it was a great project we did over 2 weeks or so but thanks to Mr. Messina, his patience, and all he had thought us, we all did a great job.
They’re very impresive works, so much potential.
I’m thrilled and extremely moved by the work of these talented young people. Their artistic ability and hard work illustrates to the world how powerful mentoring can be on both sides of the the generation spectrum. I also applaud Dave Messina, as well, for inspiring the students of John H. Reagan High School. Bravo!
Nice mentorology logos
I really enjoyed this project! It gave me an opportunity to be creative!
This was a great experience. I like spending time creating this logo! It was something creative. I would like to thank Over My Shoulder Program for giving us an opportunity to show our work to them.
The Mentorology project that we were assigned in class was very interesting and I enjoyed having to work on our logos. I hope that we have other projects like this.
I really enjoyed doing this project, it was one of the ones I enjoyed the most. I can see that your work is really making a difference.
When I was challenged with the Mentorology project, I swiftly got to work. I was inspired by the other submissions and knew I would be able to contribute. I am filled with joy to know that I participated in such an awesome movement.
I really enjoyed this project . It gave me time to express my self and show how creative I am. I wish we could do more of these , I want to show how good I am and what I learned from Mr. Messina!!!!!
Most of these logo’s were very creative in incorporating what the foundation is about but also making it visually appealing , unfortunately not all of the logo’s were posted up on the website so every one would be able to see more of the creative work, but the project was fun and all of the students in David Messina’s 2nd period were glad to do it.
What I enjoyed the most of this program was how well I was able to express myself with it. My mood my surroundings and the things and people I love the most. Mr. Messina has been a teacher of mines since I was in the 9th grade and he has been such a huge inspiration to me he helps out and interacts with his students like no other has ever before done. I enjoy his class soo much and If I could ever pay him back for everything he’s done to help me and the rest of my peers I would. Messina is a great role model and an amazaing person in our society.
I liked to work on this project . it was fun!!!!!!!!
This project was a great project i enjoyed doing it and It was very creative.
What I liked about this contest was that it allowed me to apply what I’ve learned from Mr. Messina’s class to a logo that I had no idea I was capable of creating. It allowed me to come up with a design from my head and then make the design digitally. I really appreciate the opportunity that the Over My Shoulder Foundation, Miss Dawn Carroll and Mr. Messina has given the students of John H. Reagan in giving us a way to express our creative minds by involving us with this contest. Thank you.
It was a very enriching experience. It help me break away from the monotonous school routine.
This was a very good experience that helped us, students, think about other people and stop being selfish. Also, this was fun! We had the chance of explore and use new tools to express our imagination and our feelings. I learned a lot!!!
THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST PROJECTS EVER. I GOT TO USE MY CREATIVITY TO CREATE SOMETHING COOL AND ATRACTIVE FOR MENTOROLOGY. I WOULDNT MIND DOING IT AGAIN AS LONG AS MR.MESSINA IS MY TEACHER.
it was fun doing this had a good time making mine
It was interesting, it was difficult to decide what to make but I worked with my partner Stephanie. We came up with the twirly whirly peacock feather looking one. I think it’s the best one.
It was the best…. I had fun doing it and it was very interesting!!
I thought the assignment was great, I really enjoyed doing it!:)
I hope the projects cause the students to understand the meaning of mentorology and how they can help others as well. Over all the projects came out marvelous
. GOOD JOB Messina 
Man I loved this project it like, let me do what ever I wanted and how Mr.Messina really didn’t care what I did, as long as I used my mind and I did! Every ones creations were great
It was a really nice project too do, and what made it more exciting was that it was a contest involved! Awesome
I enjoyed working on this project a lot, as I always do working on any project Mr. Messina hands us in class. When my partner and I started working on our logo we were stumped. We didn’t know how we wanted our logo to look, but of course Mr. Messina encouraged us and I think our final project is great. I think all the students that take digital media next year will definitely miss out on a great teacher. I along with other students will miss him, he is an amazing teacher and we all love him (:
I loved the mentorology project we did in class!!!!!!!!!
I enjoyed the Mentorology project. It was interesting and something different. I got to work with Karla and Isaac. They will try to take most of the credit but I did most of the work.
This was a good experience it made me think of new ways to share logos an create new things, not for myself but for others
I really liked making my 2 mentorology logos it was a lot of fun.
Thank you for the experience
I was very creative about the project
this was a prety easy assiment, it was not as hard as I thouth. I would have liked to see mi project there but I forgot to e-mail it.
I totally loved the metrology project I did in class!!! I had so much fun creating the logo and expressing my creactivity on it. I’m so happy mine is up there
This project that we did in class was the best project of the school year! I had fun when doing this project, and with the help from our teacher Mr. Messina, it was easy, he was patient with us all about this project. Thank You Mr.Messina and Thank You to the Over My Shoulder Foundation for this opportunity.
This was a really fun project and loved played with all the effects and software. I loved editing and making these kind of things. It is a really good learning expericence and much fun to do – so I love this!! woohhh!!
<3
I’M REALLY PROUD AND HAPPY OF MY SCHOOL WORK!
MY WORK AIN’T UP THERE BUT I’M AN ARTIST TOO(:
I DO ALL MY WORK FOR MR.MESSINA . AND I COULD SAY HE THE BEST TEACHER I’VE EVER HAD AT REAGAN HIGH
U ROCK MR.MESSINA!!!
it was a great project we did over 2 weeks or so but thanks to Mr. Messina, his patience, and all he had taught us, we all did a great job. On this project I wish the best!
It was fun making the mentorology logo and I’m glad my logo got published
My favorite one I created was the black and yellow spade. I also made the bended blue, black and white one. I like the black and yellow one the best because I really like the song “Black and Yellow”. I love those colors together with a passion. I had a hard time with the black blue and white one but I was able to finish it because I love drawing and using the Adobe software.
I want to thank David Messina and all the talented students at John H. Reagan High School for the incredible heart felt job they did in creating such truly beautiful logos for the foundation. It’s projects like this that got me excited about being a part of the Over My Shoulder Foundation. You kids created logos that are designed like professionals. Thanks to David for taking on this project. I’m sure you all learned from each other. Great art work CAN be fun and beautiful for all to look at. I hope the rest of the country looks at what you kids have done and the effort you all put forth to make this an incredible mentoring experience.
I hope this is just the beginning for most of you as there are so many beautiful designs. Maybe this will lead to a career for some of you. Remember that YOU can do anything you put your heart to. You have proven that with this project.
Thank you all so much again.
Creative Director for the Over My Shoulder Foundation
-Russ Mezikofsky
I am truly amazed at these designs. One thing I truly believe, which is manifested in this collective work by these kids, is that given the right environment, tools, mentoring, etc, people rise to their potential. Dave Messina and these high school students should be applauded for rising to this challenge and just saying “I can!” And, I believe, you will!
thumbs up for John H. Reagan High School students!
David Messina, your students rock!
Nothing is harder to staring a a blank piece of paper and trying to make it come to life. Yet, your students found what was alive within them and expressed it in lines and colors.
I hope that this is the beginning of more and more outpouring of creativity and talent.
Wonderful job.
I am amazed at the creativity of these young children. It is an honor to be part of such a great cause and to see how it affected these children. Great job!