Logo Development

A special thanks to the Northeast High School Art Instructor, Gary Lofts and his Advanced Art Class who designed the new city logo. Many hours of dedication and hard work went into the project. Class members are: Keanna Bartelli, Stephanie “Skeeter” Collins, Roy Coplin, Gage Cowan, Charley Dohle, Dennis Dohle, John Garrison, Ian Horn, Sam Truesdell, and Brandi Williams.

"Ideas were developed through six weeks of research and brain-storming then narrowed to only a few ideas. Finally two copies were selected to present through a process of critique and discussion. Those two copies were then finalized for the market presentation. When the presentation was accepted, they produced copies on photo-paper for the final product.

As a teacher, professional artist, and designer, I felt it was my duty to take the students through every phase of the design and marketing of logos and trademarks by hand. The MANY hours of research included advertising, color, composition, and how to get the message across with as few words and images as possible. Projecting a positive and consistent image is paramount to the success of the business or organization. Keeping it simple is not always easy when you are 15-17 years old and do not have experience with what works in the world of visual interpretation of images that are meant to attract attention and be remembered.
I have to commend the students on their dedication and patience. Several of the students do not live in Arma, but their commitment to the success of this project was as whole-hearted as those who grew up here. They also realize that seldom do high school age students have the opportunity in a design process of this magnitude. We are all very proud to have been involved." ----Gary Lofts

Northeast students help create historic map of Arma

Posted Apr 17, 2009

ARMA —

The city of Arma looked much different during its first 50 years than it does this year — the last of the city’s second half-century.
Looking at the city today, one may have a difficult time believing that Arma once had a commercial hotel, dine-in restaurants, a soda company and a bowling alley.
But it did, and Louis Casaletto and some Northeast High School students intend to prove it.
While preparing for this year’s Arma Centennial Celebration — the city was incorporated in 1909 — Casaletto learned of several businesses he never knew existed in the city.
“And I was one of the early ones on the scene,” said Casaletto, who was born in 1927.
It took a little searching and a visit to a friend, but he eventually came across a list of many of the former businesses that were once located in Arma. But while he was thrilled with the discovery, the time and effort that were required to find the information troubled him.
“It was so difficult to find these,” he said. “In another 100 years, it may be impossible.”
To help make finding information about Arma’s early days easier, Casaletto set out to create a historic map of the city — one that featured all of what Arma once boasted.
“I just thought we could preserve a little history,” he said. “We can put down what we know now, and when others come along, they can add to it.”
That’s where NHS students come in — in particular the ones in Wes Streeter’s Computer Aided Drafting class. Using the CAD program, four students are taking information off of a hand-drawn city map, circa 1935, and recreating it on computers.
“It’s really been a fun project to work on,” Streeter said. “We are helping to keep the history of Arma alive for the next generation.”
Streeter said the class has been working on it for about a month and is nearing completion. Casaletto has been assisting the students by editing and making revision suggestions. So far, he likes what he sees.
“I think the kids are doing a great job,” he said. “I’m sure it’s hard work, but they are making it look pretty good.”
Salette Schlee, a junior in the CAD class, said working on the project has been a “learning experience.”
“Once you get the fundamentals down, it gets a little easier,” she said.
Streeter said the students typically work with drawings of mechanical parts in the CAD class, so the map project was a bit of a different take on CAD.
“We had never done a map before,” he said. “The students had the basic CAD skills down to do the project, but it was a new experience.”
Casaletto said initial plans call for 1,000 maps to be printed and sold at this summer’s centennial celebration. He said the maps also will be used to encourage those who attend to take walking or self-guided tours of the city.
“This city has an interesting story if you get to know it,” he said.

Mr. Streeter’s computer aided drafting class has taken a break from mechanical drawings and focused their attention on the City of Arma. The advanced class has been asked to recreate a map of the city of Arma with its streets and businesses. With help and guidance from Mr. Louis Casaletto and his research, the class is redrawing the city from a sketch done in 1935 by Ralph M. Bortz.

The city of Arma was incorporated in 1909 and this year marks its 100th anniversary. The students are drawing a map with businesses that date back to 1895 when Arma was called Rust. In all, estimated around 100 businesses that lined the streets of Arma will be listed on the map. Some of the businesses included are: Hill & Rodda Lumber Co., Geo. F. Housington - Commercial Hotel, the Post Office, and Arma Bulldog Café.

Similar to the map of the Weir Pittsburg Coal Field, copies of this map will be printed and made available for a fee. Interested individuals can contact the City of Arma when the map is complete. The expected completion date for the map is August 7-9 during the Arma Homecoming Centennial Celebration.

Mr. Streeter would like to recognize and say thank you to Salette Schlee, Josh Silvers, Matt Castro, and Travis Dickerson for all their hard work on this project. Good work on keeping the history of Arma alive.

From upper left: Josh Silvers, Matt Castro, Travis Dickerson, Salette Schlee	Wes Streeter and students comparing the paper map to old photos.