For the first time ever, CSI students competed for the chance to win up to $750 and see their design printed on a limited-edition $25 t-shirt offered for sale. 

Students had to conceive an original design or logo that best represented the campus. The competition aimed to encourage student involvement and showcase school pride through creativity. 

From a whopping total of 60 submissions, a committee of staff and students narrowed the pool down to ten finalists. From there, the student body had the final say, casting roughly 700 votes on social media to determine the winners. 

One of the finalists, Stephen Booras, leaned into his background as an engineering student by incorporating the Verrazano Bridge into his design. 

“As an engineering student, I definitely wanted to incorporate the bridge,” said Booras. “I thought it would be pretty cool to design using AutoCAD as my method.” 

Another finalist, Jala Hassanein, turned to her background in marketing at FIT to make her design, inspired by CSI’s mascot Danny the Dolphin, come to life.  

“I wanted to focus on the eye of the dolphin,” said Hassanein. “I made sure to make the dolphin more graphic while keeping the rest a bit simplistic. I also wanted to incorporate the wording, but make it flow with the rest of the design.” 

Finally, three winners were revealed based on the student vote. 

Aliveah Nelson placed third with 10% of the vote, earning $250, Hassanein earned second place with 15%, taking home $500, and
Rahman Yuldshov won first place with 25% of the vote, earning the $750 grand prize. 

Yuldshov’s winning design features a rendition of CSI’s campus map with different iconographies symbolizing different buildings and prominent areas on campus, and will be available for sale for a limited time at the Dolphin Dash/Spirit Gear Store in Building 3A, Room 106.

“It means a great deal to me because I put a lot of effort and thought into it,” said Yuldshov. “I really wanted to leave some kind of legacy at our institution. It’s an honor to be considered.” 

The event was organized by the Office of Dolphin Services, with director Anna Lambert leading the t-shirt design committee. She thanked the students, staff, Student Government, and Friends of CSI for supporting and funding the competition. 

By S. Manai