HINGHAM — The South Shore Educational Collaborative is pleased to unveil its new logo and mascot: the Sea Dog.
The new mascot and logo were selected earlier this year following a fun and collaborative contest that involved students and staff from all of the South Shore Educational Collaborative’s programs. With about 300 students enrolled across multiple campuses, the effort brought everyone together to choose a symbol that reflects the spirit and character of the entire community.
Each program held its own contest, inviting staff and students to submit creative ideas. The winning design from each program was then reviewed by the administrative leadership team, which selected the overall winner — the Sea Dog.
Staff member Ian Walsh-Pederson created the Sea Dog idea, and drafted an initial drawing, to keep with the Collaborative’s nautical theme and highlight its connection to the South Shore. In recent months, a version of the new mascot was painted on school walls by local artist Renee MacMurray and featured on spirit materials across the Collaborative, helping to strengthen a shared sense of belonging. The Collaborative settled on two official versions of the mascot designed by John Guilfoil Public Relations: one for older students with a bold, ready-for-action expression, and another for younger students featuring a friendly smile.
“Among the submissions, we saw a lot of dogs and sea animals, so the Sea Dog just felt like a perfect fit,” said Erin Holder, Director of Student Services. “It captures the character of our community — friendly, resilient, and connected to the ocean.”
The Sea Dog replaces the Collaborative’s longtime lighthouse logo, which had served as a simple symbol of guidance and location for many years. This marks the first time the collaborative has had an actual mascot — a symbolic figure who students can love, be proud of, and truly rally behind.
In recent months, the new mascot has been painted on school walls and featured on spirit materials across the Collaborative, helping to strengthen a shared sense of belonging. The unveiling also coincides with the launch of the South Shore Educational Collaborative’s new website — SSEC.org.
South Shore Educational Collaborative Executive Director Michael Losche thanked all the students and staff who participated in the mascot contest, noting the Sea Dog as a symbol of school pride and unity.
“For years, our lighthouse logo reflected where we’re from, but the Sea Dog shows who we are,” said Executive Director Michael Losche. “It gives our students something to identify with and be proud of, and it really reflects the sense of community that we’ve worked to build here. Seeing how excited everyone has been to embrace the South Shore Sea Dog really reminds me of what makes this community so awesome.”
The official logo, mascot, and website were designed by John Guilfoil Public Relations.
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