APEX Selects Hill Air Force Base Exchange Visual Merchandiser as Logo Contest Winner

Hill Air Force Base Exchange’s Corran Stockstill knows a thing or two about an eye-catching display. After all, she is the visual merchandiser at the BX. She’s also the designer behind the winning logo chosen to represent special emphasis program AAFES Asian Pacific Exchanges (APEX).

As the winner, Stockstill will receive COO and CAO challenge coins and a Thanks for Caring and Sharing Award of $250.

Stockstill, who has been with the Exchange for six years, entered the contest to get involved with the special emphasis program. As a self-proclaimed history buff, Stockstill said she also saw it as an opportunity to learn more about Asian, Pacific and Native Hawaiian cultures.

The logo features a red hibiscus flower. “The hibiscus is symbolic and takes on many different meanings, especially so in the context of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander heritage,” Stockstill said.

Using red as the sole color was also intentional. Stockstill said she chose red to symbolize strength. The color is commonly associated with courage and bravery, but the color also represents luck and fortune. The color is also found on the flags of many Asian and Pacific Island countries, as well as Hawaii.

“The first thing I did was research the month itself and the history behind it,” Stockstill said. “I asked ‘What color pulled in all these cultures together? What symbol tied them together?’ That is where the hibiscus came in,” Stockstill said.

After researching, Stockstill created inspiration boards and refined her ideas until she had something she wanted to work with.

Stockstill said she doesn’t follow specific rules when designing, but as a visual merchandiser, she has gained experience from designing posters, social media posts and more for the Hill BX.

Stockstill said she was blown away when Anna Jeffries, associate EEODI officer, called to notify her.

“My General Manager Tammy Hairston decided to surprise me. She had told me earlier that she had something to talk about. She said, ‘Here’s the phone.’ We all talked and they’re like, ‘Do you know why we are here?’ Then they told me. I was very surprised and excited.”

Stockstill encourages associates to participate in contests. Throughout the fiscal year, other special emphasis program groups—ABLE, Nation’s Network, HEROES, BRIDGE and POWER—will conduct logo competitions. A logo contest for PRIDE (People Respecting Inclusivity, Diversity and Equality) recently concluded, and a winner will be announced in June.