Escola Azul and the National Guard's Coastal and Border Control Unit launched a challenge to the Blue School network: to find a name for the mascot of this partnership between Escola Azul and the GNR - Portuguese National Guard.
We had an initial collection of suggestions coming from the Blue Schools. We received a total of 190 name proposals.
On October 23rd, we announced the three names to be voted on by the entire Escola Azul network.
PIPO – Suggested by Colégio Quinta do Lago. PIPO uses the first letters of “Porque Importa Proteger o Oceano” (Because it Matters to Protect the Ocean).
KAI – Suggested by Escola Básica e Secundária Ordem de Sant'Iago. KAI comes from the hawaian and means “Sea”, “Ocean”.
HIPOMAR – Suggested by Escola Básica da Azurara. HIPOMAR combines the scientific name of the seahorse, Hippocampus, with the word “Mar” (Sea).
The chosen name was announced on National Maritime Day (November 16).
With 49% of the votes, the chosen name was PIPO! Congratulations to Colégio Quinta do Lago (Cascais), the Blue School that suggested this name.
Inspired by the creativity of the schools and the many suggested names that highlight the mascot's role as guardian of the Ocean, the Coastal and Border Control Unit also decided to give it a title that reinforces its role as guardian of the sea: PIPO – THE BLUE GUARDIAN. A name that reflects the Unit's commitment to ensure the surveillance, protection, and preservation of maritime space and that, at the same time, distinguishes and values the commitment of all Blue Schools in this initiative.
The second most voted name was HIPOMAR, proposed by Escola Básica da Azurara (Vila do Conde), with 29% of the votes. Rounding out the top three was KAI, from Escola Básica e Secundária Ordem de Sant'Iago (Setúbal), with 22%.
Thanks to everyone who participated in this initiative and to the more than 4,300 voters.
