To connect with and inspire local youth, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office launched its first-ever “Design a Patch” contest in March 2026, open to high school students across Hays County. The initiative invited students to showcase their creativity by designing a patch that reflects the values, identity and spirit of both their community and the sheriff’s office.
Participants were given one month and a blank patch template to bring their ideas to life. Along with their designs, students submitted written explanations detailing the meaning and inspiration behind their concepts. Submissions were reviewed by Sheriff’s Office personnel, who selected the top ten entries. Those finalists were then forwarded through the chain of command, where the top three winners were selected.
The final winners, each representing a different school, were 1st Place, Walker Williams, Wimberley High School; 2nd Place, Layla Rivera, Jack C. Hays High School; and 3rd Place, Lilli Johnson, San Marcos Academy.
Sheriff Anthony Hipolito presented each student with a certificate, gift card, and HCSO swag bag in recognition of their achievement. “When creating my version of the badge, I wanted to highlight our community’s strength and growth,” said Walker Williams, 1st Place winner. “I incorporated a water wheel — one of humanity’s earliest forms of mechanical power — as a symbol of progress and the vital role water plays in Hays County. At the top, I included a sheriff’s star and badge elements to represent the strength, courage and unity of the Sheriff’s Office.”
The contest was designed to strengthen connections with the next generation of Hays County, build trust between youth and local law enforcement, and provide insight into how students view their community and the agency that serves it. “I am incredibly proud of the students who participated in this countywide competition. Their designs captured the spirit of service, commitment, and community that defines the Hays Sheriff’s Office. Opportunities like this strengthen the relationship between our agency and the young people we serve,” said Sheriff Hipolito.
As this was the inaugural year, outreach was focused on art classes and, where available, law enforcement programs within participating schools. Following its success, the Sheriff’s Office plans to expand the contest next year, opening it to all high school students across the county.
Building on the positive response, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office has also introduced a “Design a Patch” contest within the Hays County Jail. This initiative aims to foster a positive, growth-focused environment while promoting creativity, personal development and positive engagement among incarcerated individuals.
