Flying High: Dealership Sponsors "Official" Flag of GHS
November 16, 2009

Courtesy of a Greenville High School student and local auto dealership, the pride of GHS is flying high these days.

The Southwest Ford Lincoln Mercury dealership, located in Greenville on the Interstate 30 East service road, recently sponsored a contest among high school art students to design the official flag of GHS.  The dealership sponsored the competition, paid to have the flag design made into a finished product and bought two flags -- one for the dealership and one for the high school.

The winner of the competition was Deyci Arellano, a sophomore at GHS.  Her winning design now flies proudly atop the flag pole at the Southwest dealership.

Chance Donaghe, General Manager of the local dealership, said he sponsored the contest as a way to support local students and to display pride in the school district.

"I went to high school at a school very similar to Greenville High School.  On Friday - game day - all the local businesses and people in the town proudly displayed the school flag," said Donaghe.  "I think at one time it was started as a football tradition, but I remember it growing and being just a symbol for the school in whatever we were doing."

For her efforts, Arellano earned a $500 scholarship to the school of her choice.  That and the pride of seeing her work every time she travels I-30.

"Shortly after I arrived in Greenville I had the pleasure of meeting (Superintendent) Don Jefferies and I asked him if I could have a school flag to display.  That's where the idea started," said Donaghe.