Byron High takes a first in the Illinois State Snow Sculpting competition

Byron High takes a first in the Illinois State Snow Sculpting competition
By Doug Schroder
EDITOR
After a three week delay the 33rd Illinois State Snow Sculpting competition took place last week from Wednesday, Feb. 6 to Saturday, Feb. 8 at Sinnissippi Park in Rockford. The delay came about because of the lack of snow available when the event was originally scheduled in January. Since that time the area has received ample amounts of the white stuff.
Six state teams, 15 high school teams and one exhibition team participated in the competition this year.
The competition results were announced Saturday afternoon as many onlookers drove through the park to take a gander at the wintry artwork.
The Windy City Snowmen team of Chicago, made up of Kim McCombs, Mike Dillon and Juan Zelaya, placed first and won the State of Illinois Champions Award and the People’s Choice Award for their sculpture “Lincoln.” The team will go on to compete in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, in the 2020 U.S. Nationals Snow Sculpting Competition.
High school teams from Pecatonica, Winnebago and Byron took part in the competition once again this year.
The Pecatonica team entered a sculpture they called “The New Normal”. Members of the team included Advisor Jennifer Krants, Elizabeth Braun, Julianna Mallo, Elayne Penkava and Lena Werner.
American Business Solutions sponsored the Pecatonica block.
The Winnebago team entered a sculpture they dubbed “Cact-ice”, taking home three awards with the entry. They placed second overall in the high school competition, also earning the Committee’s Choice in the high school competition and the Fred Garner Award in the high school competition. Winnebago team members included Advisor Lisa Jimenez, Kaitlyn Anderson, Jaedyn Hartman, Bryaden Letsinger and KaraWorden.
Ad Mangers, Inc sponsored the block used by Winnebago.
Byron High School took first place in the high school competition with their sculpture “Stone Cold”. Members of the team included Advisor Kathy Driscoll, Tommy Allen, Natale Lewis, Lucas Shine and Baylee Wilson.
Prographics sponsored the block used by Byron.