Getting ready for Saturday's Spring Dash
<p>Miki Wan, a junior exchange student at Lake City High School, displays her winning design for this year's Spring Dash. Bank of America, the event's primary sponsor, awarded Wan with $100.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - It's not the first time Miki Wan has won an art contest.
But it is the first time the Lake City High School junior has won a competition in the United States.
Wan, an exchange student from China, created the winning T-shirt design for the 29th annual Spring Dash, a United Way of Kootenai County fundraiser taking place Sunday in downtown Coeur d'Alene.
The 18-year-old smiled at the thought of her design gracing T-shirts worn by an anticipated 1,700 race participants this weekend.
"My mom will be so happy," Wan said.
The T-shirt challenge required that tulips be incorporated into the design.
"Many guys won't wear flowers. I wanted to make it so that whatever gender you are, it would be something you would like to wear," Wan said.
The shirt is green, with a single tulip in the center. The flower's colored petals are shaded in pink and red hues, with a hit of yellow.
Wan melded words into sections of the tulip. The stem is formed by black text that reads "Coeur d'Alene," a leaf proclaims "Idaho," and the tulip's yellow and black stamen are text that reads "Spring Dash," and "2011."
The design was selected from about 40 submissions, and earned Wan a $100 check from Bank of America, one of the event's annual sponsors. The bank will have 30 employees volunteering their time, to help coordinate Sunday's race.
"Spring Dash is kind of that first rite of spring," said Caryl Johnston, director of United Way of Kootenai County.
The five-mile fun run will begin at 10 a.m. in front of Coeur d'Alene Mines at 505 Front Ave. The out and back course winds through the Sanders Beach neighborhood.
It is also a qualifier for the second-seed starting area at Bloomsday in Spokane.
A "Tot Trot" special race for children 10 and younger starts at 9:15 a.m.
"Mudgie and Millie are coming out to root the kids on," Johnston said.
An awards ceremony starts at noon, with refreshments and music.
Some new elements have been added to the race this year, a corporate team challenge, and a school challenge.
"We are really encouraging team spirit, costuming, and fun," Johnston said.
Late registration is $20 and ends at 9:30 a.m. on the day of the race.
Those already registered can begin checking in and picking up their race packets on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., also in front of Coeur d'Alene Mines.
Information: 667-8112