Seattle's Hamilton International Middle School has been a true Companion Flag champion: the first Seattle public school to adopt the Companion Flag, and one of its most ardent supporters.

It began in the summer of 2002. Inspired by the belief that it is possible to celebrate our common humanity while still honoring diversity, International Curriculum Director Susan Ranney struck upon the idea of using the Companion Flag to commemorate the 9-11 tragedy. She introduced the Companion Flag idea to her principal Terry Acena, her fellow teachers, and to parents and students. What better way to honor those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, she suggested, than by remembering today what we share with people everywhere!

All agreed, and Hamilton's first annual 9-11/ Companinon Flag Assembly was held on September 11, 2002.. The flags of the 36 nations represented by the student body were mounted on wooden staffs, each with its own Companion Flag.

Students prepared stories about their countries of origin, and were careful to acknowledge, too, the ways that people there are the same as people everywhere. After each story was told, the flag of that nation, with its Companion Flag, was marched from the auditorium to the school's entrance, and placed on permanent display.

New national flags and Companion Flags are added as students from "new" countries arrive each year at Hamilton.

 

[Read what HIMS students and teachers are
saying about the Companion Flag in the Fall
2003 Global Outlook (.pdf)]