• By Todd Luck
• Posted Friday, February 15, 2019

Black History Month: County Seal was Designed by Carver Student

Did you know the Forsyth County seal was designed by a Carver High School student?

The year was 1949 and even though the county was a century old, it didn’t have a seal. To celebrate the county’s 100th birthday, the Chamber of Commerce held a contest to design the county seal. The winner was Carver High School Student Willie H. Johnson Jr.

During a centennial celebration held in front of the the county courthouse, Johnson received a copy of the proclamation for the new seal. He was reportedly paid $20 for his design (which would be the equivalent of more than $200 today). Also during celebration, a time capsule was buried, which now resides under the former courthouse building and is scheduled to be opened in 2049.

The seal contains imagery that denotes the county’s heritage in manufacturing and agriculture along with its Moravian history. County Commissioner Chair Dave Plyler said the seal has served the county well and is a good representation of the community.

“The young student who designed it captured the county beautifully,” said Plyler

The seal also prominently displays the year Forsyth County was founded, 1849. Small letters on the seal are meant to be the county’s motto Animis Opibusque Parati”, which means “Prepared in Mind and Resources,” though due to an error most likely during an early artist rendering, it reads “Animis Opibusque Patri.”

The county seal has been used countless times over the last 70 years. This includes letterheads, plaques, publications, in county facilities and on the county’s Facebook and Twitter pages.