Annual contest attracted more than 50 entries and generated a record 11,000 votes
(BEND, Ore.) — The Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation and SELCO Community Credit Union announced that an eighth-grader from Morning Star Christian School in Bend won the artwork contest for the 45th Annual SELCO Pole Pedal Paddle, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 13. Adalynn Rhyne, 13, won the annual contest by one of the closest margins in memory and in a contest that drew more votes than ever before, contest officials said.
Rhyne’s color-pencil drawing is now the official logo of the 2023 SELCO Pole Pedal Paddle, a Central Oregon tradition and one of the largest multi-sport events in the Northwest.
The winning logo — which includes snowy Mt. Bachelor in the background, fronted by the Old Mill District’s smokestacks, a pine-tree forest, kayaks on the Deschutes River, and a pair of skis — received a late push from voters. The winning drawing was selected from 54 entries and received 2,984 votes, edging the runner-up entry by 90 votes. In all, nearly 11,000 votes were cast.
“Voters had the unenviable task of picking a logo from a wide range of submissions from some incredibly talented local artists,” said Amy Tarnow, executive director of MBSEF. “In the end, Adalynn’s creativity stuck out among so many wonderful entries. Her work was impressive, particularly in the context of her age, and it will now deservedly become an enduring part of the history of the event.”
The annual logo contest is among the annual traditions of the SELCO Pole Pedal Paddle. Artists of all ages are asked to submit their artwork design, which is then judged on popularity, uniqueness, and suitability for print, by a combination of public voters, MBSEF staff, and SELCO representatives.
Rhyne is an avid snowboarder, stand-up paddleboarder, and trail runner as well as a passionate, self-taught artist who finds inspiration from Central Oregon’s outdoors. She will receive $500 in prize money, a commemorative mug, and official SELCO Pole Pedal Paddle logo wear featuring the winning design. Her artwork will appear on posters, apparel, prizes, and other promotional and event-related materials.
Registration for race participants begins on Wednesday, Feb. 15. SELCO Pole Pedal Paddle organizers are also asking community members to share photos of their experiences in the event. The photos will then be used to help promote the 2023 SELCO Pole Pedal Paddle. To submit your photos, please email events@mbsef.org.
For more information on the race, visit pppbend.com, or call 541-388-0002.
About Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation:
The Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization that creates opportunities through competitive snow sports programs to support Central Oregon athletes in achieving their individual athletic, academic, and personal goals. Its vision is to positively impact the life of every athlete it serves. For more information on MBSEF and its programs, visit www.mbsef.org.
About SELCO Community Credit Union:
Founded 87 years ago by a group of fiscally minded teachers, Springfield-based SELCO Community Credit Union today serves more than 150,000 members as one of the largest and longstanding Oregon-based credit unions. A not-for-profit, federally insured, member-driven financial cooperative with more than $2.6 billion in assets, SELCO provides its member-owners with exceptional rates and low fees on a full range of financial products and services, including banking, mortgages, personal and business loans, investments, and insurance. Membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of the 27 Oregon or eight Washington counties SELCO serves. For more information or to become a member today, stop by one of SELCO’s 15 branches, visit selco.org, or call 800-445-4483.
Contacts
Jacob Berns, SELCO, 541-338-3841, jberns@selco.org
Zack Hall, DVA Advertising & PR, 775-338-0745, zack@dvaadv.com