Sixth-grade students in the SPARK! summer learning program recently put their creativity and teamwork to work in the 2026 Towhead Island Logo Design Competition, with one student team earning top honors for its design.
The Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine recently concluded the student-centered competition, which introduced students to Towhead Island while giving them hands-on experience in marketing, logo design, teamwork and community storytelling.
The competition was part of SPARK! — Summer Program for Arts, Recreation & Knowledge — which is in its sixth consecutive summer. The full-day summer learning program is offered through a partnership between the Muscatine Community School District and Aligned Impact Muscatine County.
SPARK! provides hands-on enrichment in STEM, the arts, career exploration and community-based learning. The program is designed to help students discover new interests, develop real-world skills and build connections beyond the classroom.
The winning logo was created by “The Amazon Shoppers,” Lily and Tina. Their design was selected for its strong connection to Towhead Island’s history, environment and recreational possibilities. The logo features natural elements including wildlife, water and trees, along with outdoor activities, highlighting the idea that there is “more to it than you think.”
Towhead Island is a 129-acre island located in the Mississippi River in downtown Muscatine. The island was gifted to the Community Foundation to support youth education, conservation, recreation and community engagement.
As part of the logo project, students learned about Towhead Island and discussed how marketing can help people understand and connect with a place. They explored how colors, symbols, text and emotion influence a logo’s message before working in teams to create designs and presentations explaining their creative choices.
The program culminated in a competition on July 14, when students presented their designs to volunteer judges. Each team explained the message behind its logo, the design elements it selected and how its work represented a vision for Towhead Island’s future.
Students also took part in a hands-on workshop with the Muscatine Community College Culinary Program. The workshop provided an opportunity to learn about food preparation and explore the program’s incubator space located inside the Community Foundation’s building.
The Community Foundation praised the students for their creativity, teamwork and willingness to share their ideas throughout the project.
By learning about Towhead Island and expressing their ideas through design, students offered a fresh perspective on an important community initiative and contributed to the ongoing conversation about the island’s future.
The Community Foundation also thanked the SPARK! coordinators, AIM staff members, Muscatine Community College representatives, volunteer judges and others who helped make the project possible.
The gift of Towhead Island was made possible through the generosity of a donor to the Joe W. and Betty L. Rauch Memorial Fund.
For more information about Towhead Island, contact Adrianne Towe at 563-264-3863 or visit www.givinggreater.org.
Program Partners
Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine
A countywide charitable organization working to improve quality of life in Muscatine County through philanthropy. Learn more at www.givinggreater.org or call 563-264-3863.
Muscatine Community School District
Serving approximately 4,500 students from preschool through 12th grade, the district is committed to empowering every learner through high-quality instruction, innovative experiences and strong community partnerships. Visit www.muscatine.k12.ia.us.
Aligned Impact Muscatine County (AIM)
A grant-funded initiative that brings partners together to address key community challenges. AIM supports children from kindergarten readiness through high school graduation and helps adults access education and training for family-sustaining careers. Learn more at www.alignedimpactmuscatine.org.
