readercontest - OregonLive.com

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THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN • DECEMBER 25, 2005
LIFE | ARTS | BOOKS
READERCONTEST
JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME, we have the winners of The Oregonian’s Design Santa’s New Sled
contest. Thanks to the 351 budding engineers, inventors and artists who sent in creative and
imaginative designs.
Because the judges had a difficult time deciding on the winners, we added an honorable
mention to each category. Many of the designs were well-conceived and well-executed, and all
were done in the holiday spirit. We’ve sent our top picks off to the North Pole to let Santa make
the final call on his new ride. Who knows, maybe you spied Santa last night in your creation,
enjoying his Christmas Eve trip like never before.
Our winners will receive an Oregonian mug and a holiday goody bag (and there will be something
nice for the honorable mentions, too).
MOTOYA NAKAMURA/THE OREGONIAN
Santa gets his new ride
The judges, left to right:
Eric Baker, Mike Mode, Derrik Quenzer, Steve
Cowden, and in front, Leslie LaVerne.
We have the winners of our first-ever contest to design a better sleigh for Kriss Kringle
PRETEEN
12 and
younger
This category had the
most entries. We
heard that many
classrooms gave the
assignment to
redesign Santa’s sleigh
to the entire class.
There was a wide
variety of imagination
and style in this group.
HONORABLE MENTION Lucy Cockroll, 7, Portland
“Robt Slay” is a colorful and playful rendition. Even without text to explain the
sleigh’s robotic functions, we found this illustration pleasing and charming.
FIRST PLACE Shelby Macy, 12, Beaverton
“Blitzn’” was a careful rendering of Santa’s sleigh along with detailed descriptions of its features, which
propelled this entry to the front. The sleigh features a toy/coal dispenser — to supply the needs of both good
and bad children — and a unique Kringle Kruncher, which transforms milk and cookies into energy for a
lactose-intolerant Santa.
TEEN
13-19
years
There was a bundle of
creativity and
technological gadgetry
in these drawings —
with titles like Sleighbonator and
Santamobile (the most
common title). Each
had unique features,
ranging from real
candy-cane landing
gear (to stick better on
HONORABLE MENTION Tyler P. Krell, 17, Portland
snow-covered roofs)
This design is notable for its innovation and attention to detail. The bird decoy
(to distract birds from interfering with Santa’s sleigh) and candy-cane bumper
were nice touches.
to anti-gravity toydelivery robots.
FIRST PLACE Erin Smith, 13, Davis, Calif. “Polar C-1000” is an entertaining approach that showed
real imagination. It’s pulled by eight magical flying reindeer, but the similarity with Santa’s traditional sleigh
ends there. This sleigh features shag carpeting to keep Santa’s feet warm and cozy and a bobble-headed,
iPod-bearing penguin mounted on the dashboard for Santa’s enjoyment.
POSTTEEN
20 and
older
Stirling Regenerative Steam
Engine. The engine recycles
its steam exhaust to heat
the incoming boiler water
Peppermint-flavored smokestack
This category
contained many
Beeswax coated canvas
control surfaces
technically polished
and creative solutions,
Bluetooth
GPS linked
into Santa’s
Naughty or
Nice database
Vintage 1952
sled turned
sidecar. Holds a
full magic toy
bag or 37 elves
All leather custom
stitched by Mrs. Claus
Engine governor
including eco-friendly
designs and a simple
Sack of toys
The four wings flap like
bumblebee or dragonfly wings
drawing of a box: a
representation of a
Navigator
Borg cube after it
assimilated Santa and
Red, yellow, green naughty or nice lights
Tanks hand-hammered by the big man himself
300RP (reindeer power) ”Kringle Turbo Diesel” with hovering
capability. 1RP approx 125 HP
Frame, chassis and paint all custom elf work
Quick-release mount so Santa can
* runs on biodiesel derived
go from ski to wheels in seconds
from flying reindeer droppings
Steering tiller
his sleigh.
Navigation lights
Engine flywheel
Throttle and pitch control
Wrought iron leaf spring
suspension system
Steerable landing skids
FIRST PLACE Joseph Boquiren, 39, Portland Santa’s “Flivverthopter” is a whimsical rendition of
turn-of-the-century mechanics. The judges were captivated by this steam-powered contraption with its
peppermint-flavored smokestack and Rudolph as navigator.
HONORABLE MENTION William Cass, Portland “Kringle Kustoms’
Frozen Thunder” shows the artist’s love of motorcycles in this technically
refined rendering. The sidecar holds a full magic toy bag (or 37 elves) and is
powered by a “Kringle Turbo Diesel” that runs on biodiesel fuel made from
organic matter. The Clauses deliver the goods in leather outfits hand-stitched by
Mrs. Claus herself.