Hazel Kelley
For the first time, the Mill Race Marathon poster design contest among Columbus students has repeat winners, event planners announced.
Columbus East High School senior Zane Moravec’s design for the 11th annual event poster was selected as the winning entry in the Official Race Poster Contest. CSA Lincoln student Hazel Kelley’s design won in the Kids Fun Run poster contest.
“This is unprecedented and highlights how greatly talented each of these students truly are,” said David Venable, one of the judges for this year’s program.
Zane, who also won the 2022 Mill Race Marathon poster competition, will receive a $500 scholarship check for his winning entry. Copies of the poster will be for sale with runners’ names for the 5K, half-marathon and marathon events taking place on Saturday, Sept. 23.
Zane plans to further his studies after high school at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Hazel, meanwhile, has won the Kids Fun Run contest for each of the past three years. “Her artwork has been selected by the judges each year based upon creativity, color, and presentation, and she has simply stood apart from the other outstanding student entries,” Venable said. She will receive a framed Kids Fun Run shirt that highlights her design and a $50 gift certificate. In addition, her teacher, Katie Putnam, will receive a check to purchase school supplies in recognition of Hazel’s achievement, Venable said.
Along with Venable, other judges for the contest were Bob Anderson and Laurie Wright of Stillframes Art and Design Studio, Kim Bennett of German American Bank, Sandy Kent of Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp., Randy Stafford of Mill Race Marathon, Cheryl Wright of Healthy Communities and Shane Yates of BCSC.
Jeff Metz of BCSC served as a judge for the Kids Fun Run Poster Contest, but not in the Official Race Poster Contest, as he is Zane’s teacher. Venable noted Metz is planning to retire and praised his work with the marathon poster contests over the years.
Metz, Venable said, “has been instrumental in helping with the coordination of many projects between Mill Race Marathon and the BCSC students,” Venable said. He noted it was fitting to salute Metz because “he is always one to make sure the students are recognized for their efforts.”
Fellow teacher Gene Hack agreed, saying Metz will be missed.
“Jeff has been very instrumental in making sure that C4 students have had the opportunity to express their talents in many community endeavors,” Hack said.
“On behalf of the Mill Race Marathon, we are very proud and excited to share their outstanding contributions to our event,” Venable said. “This artwork makes the event special for each of the participants as a great way to remember Columbus, Indiana, and their fitness accomplishments. Hopefully, each of the winning students will cherish this memory and be proud of their contribution to the event and the community.”
