The 18 students in the class designed the flag and raised the money to make it as their gift to the school, which most of them have attended since kindergarten.

"This flag is very special. It's the only one St. Martin's has ever had. The kids really put their heart and soul into doing this," said Margy Wolfe, principal. "It represents the values of what they learned here."

The idea originated with Diane Burian, room mother for the class. The students began work in November, spending their time in art class working on designs.

"I thought it was a really great idea, because it was something unlike any other class had ever given before," said Adam Cogliano, one of the graduating students.

"It was something that would sustain the course for the history of St. Martin's, not just something that would run and then break down," he said.

Ms. Burian said "It was a fun project, and I think the further along they got on the project the more excited they became."

Using the designs they created, she found the common elements and combined them into several variations and the class voted to pick the final plan.

"It was great, I really liked it. The best thing is the huge red fish in the middle, it just symbolizes St. Martin's," Adam said.

The flag incorporates elements reflecting the school personality and their faith. The official school colors of blue and white are the background; the open book conveys education; the fish is the ancient symbol of Christianity; and the bulldog in the corner is the school mascot.

The flag was kept a secret from most of the school, and was officially presented at the eighth-grade graduation on May 30 and at the school's awards ceremony on June 3.

"Both times they got 'oohs' and 'ahhs' and a big round of applause," Ms. Burian said.

Mrs. Wolfe said that the flag will be used at home sports events and in the chapel, and will stand in the hallway for all to see when it is not in use.

"It was really a thrill when they presented it, and it's beautiful," she said.

The students raised from $800 to $900 to have the flags made, including the eight-foot by six-foot main flag and mini-desk flags for the school offices. The smaller flags are also available for other students to buy.

"It was definitely a group project, and we wanted to keep it like that," said Ms. Burian. "They were very close and dedicated to each other. They had a lot of respect for each other, and they were truly one family.

"We wanted the flag to represent everything that the school and church stood for."