The winning designs for Nixa's new city symbols were designed by a Delaware woman who has never set foot in the Christian County crossroads.

Tracy Southard of Ocean View, Delaware, will receive $1,000 for her graphic design work, which will replace the flag and seal Nixa has used for 30 years, according to a city news release.

Southard said she found out about Nixa's contest online. She's been to Missouri, but never to Nixa, she said in a brief interview last week.

Previously, Nixa was symbolically represented by a bear, an eagle, a fiery sun, the words "a crossroads" and "City of Opportunity," and a star marking the city's location on an outline of Missouri.

The new flag is very similar to an existing city logo featuring suburban living and a sprawling X. Southard's flag bears no words, and though a bird that may be an eagle remains, there's no sign of any bears or the sun.

The seal also will make its way onto the shoulders of Nixa's finest, as the police department will update its patches accordingly.

Nixa city leaders picked the winner at a special meeting last week, noting that the six finalist entries were "highly competitive." Twenty-nine total entries were submitted.

The design being replaced was created in 1987 by two unknown Nixa High School art students. The prize back then was a $25 savings bond, according to the city.