Contacts: Lisa Harnisch, Awesome 3000 co-chair H: (503) 540-8725 Krina Lee, Executive Director W: (503) 364-2933 C: (503)

932-3201

News Release
For Immediate Release

Newest Awesome 3000 Design Comes from a West Salem Junior.

Salem, Ore., February 7th, 2014 A West Salem High School student has crafted the winning logo for the 2014 Awesome 3000. This year's top design, out of nearly 60 entries, was created by Marina Sashkov, a junior at West Salem. Representatives of the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation will recognize her at an all-school assembly on Friday, February 7th. Each year the foundation invites young artists in the district to come up with a design for the Awesome 3000 fun run, held the first Saturday in May. "As a committee, were really impressed with the number of artists in the district," said Lisa Harnisch, Awesome 3000 Co-Chair. We love that the art work contest is becoming a part of the art curriculum. It really matches up with SKEFs academic alignment. Its also been interesting over the past few years to see more and more of the entries are computer generated. In addition to seeing her artwork on 5,000 t-shirts, 40,000 registration forms, 500 posters, and more, Marina receives a first place check for $100. She also earns a $250 contribution for the West Salem High art department. Winning $50, the second place design was created by Shelby Cunningham, a freshman at West Salem High. Third place was a tie and went to West Salem freshmen Hannah Bodkin and Lydia Ransom who won $25. First Tech Credit Union cotitle sponsor of the Awesome Chylon Pappas was part of the selection committee. She said The winning design makes me excited about the Awesome 3000 this Maryear. The winning entry did Geo very well. I am looking forward to proudly wearing the T-shirt.

Krina Lee, the Executive Director at SKEF says All the entries captured the energy and spirit of the event and kudos to West Salem High School for the sweep of the event this year. All of the colorful designs feature Foundation mascot Geo and show the words Awesome 3000 and 2014 prominently. The Foundation invites artists and their families to visit Bazillion Books for Kids next door to Where the Sidewalk Begins or Capitol Toyota 783 Auto Group Ave. NE Salem, Oregon 97301 during April to see a display of all of the design submissions. Capitol Toyota is one of many major sponsors of the Awesome 3000. This year's Awesome 3000 is May 3. Registration forms will be available in schools one week before spring break and online at www.skeducationfoundation.org. Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities also can be found on the foundations website. The Awesome 3000 is the signature event of the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation and supports the foundations innovation grants to support academic achievement.
About the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation The Salem-Keizer Education Foundation is a catalyst for enhancing the education of Salem-Keizer public school students by providing resources for creative and innovative programs and materials, educating and mobilizing the community, and sustaining collaborative partnerships that support its goals.

For more information about the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation, visit the website: www.skeducationfoundation.org. ###