At the end of the tumultuous 2020/2021 school year, a majority of the Sophomore class worked with Northfield's Better Places Steering Committee to develop unique banners that will decorate the downtown Common area for years to come. These banners were designed to celebrate the scenes and places that resonate with the youth of our community.

The banner design concept was inspired by two Vermont artists. One is the world famous printmaker, Sabra Field, who's simplified bold and colorful landscapes and scenes inspired the overall design concept (Sabra Field also inspired Abigail Detrick, the local student artist who designed the Main Street Mural). The other inspiring artist is the stunning local photographer, John Knox, whose compositions of iconic Vermont scenes helped students to frame and compose the inspiring photographs students took as the basis of their painted banners.

Northfield Middle & High School is incredibly proud of our Sophomores Class of 2023 for their incredible artistic contributions to our community. We would further recognize the essential support of Jon Ignatowski, the Economic Development Director of Northfield who envisioned and made this project possible, as well as the tireless support of Bonnie Kirn Donahue, Lydia Petty, Andrea Melville, Carolyn Stevens, and Jeff Schultz of the Better Places Steering Committee. Additional thanks to the cadre of local sewers and primers for getting the banners ready for the student artwork, and to Judy Knapp and Joanna Sumner for their classroom support and encouragement and their own artistic contributions to the project.