BRYAN, OH April 28, 2016 – Spangler Candy Company is pleased to announce the winners of its mural design contest. Entrants were challenged to create a positive, family-friendly message reflecting the designer’s response to the question, “How does Spangler Candy help make Bryan OH the Sweetest Town in America?”
First place winner of the contest is Taylor Brunner, 16-year-old daughter of Barton and Kristie Brunner, of Bryan. For her first place entry, Miss Brunner received $500 and a year’s supply of Dum Dums. Ms. Brunner, who said she dreams of being a graphic artist, was very pleased to win the top prize and for her drawing to represent Spangler Candy Company.
Second and third place winners of the contest are, respectively, Stephanie Grube of Bryan and Breanna Daugherty of Archbold. Ms. Grube received $250 and a year’s supply of Dum Dums, and Ms. Daugherty received $100 and a year’s supply of Dum Dums.
“There were 47 entries in the mural design contest, and it was great fun to see the many ideas that the artists created to illustrate our company’s impact on the local community and across America,” said Kirk Vashaw, Spangler Candy Company CEO.
“We commend every entrant,” Mr. Vashaw continued. “Some were special in their simplicity, some were more complex, and all of them reinforced the positive feelings we have about making candy in Bryan, Ohio.”
Contest entries were “blinded” so the judges were unable to identify the artists or any other information about each one. Names, addresses and locations were removed or covered up so the judges had no bias. Judges were Kirk Vashaw, Spangler CEO; Evan Brock, Spangler Director of Marketing; Bill Martin, Spangler President and CFO; Niki Mosier, Spangler Director of Human Capital; Roberta Dell, Spangler Chief Union Steward and 1st Shift Bagger Operator; Ann Spangler, Spangler Store/Museum/Tours Manager; Bonnie Burgbacher, Spangler Channel Manager and the employee with the most longevity at 53 years.
Entries for the contest were accepted between Dec. 1, 2015 and Feb. 15, 2016. Forty-seven entries were received, with the majority of those coming from Williams, Fulton, and Defiance counties. Multiple entries were received in groups from area schools, including Edgerton, Montpelier, Stryker, Bryan, Archbold, and St. Patrick School in Bryan. The contest, which was open to anyone, was promoted primarily through the Spangler Candy Company Facebook site, as well as through local schools.
Spangler Candy Company has been family owned and operated in Bryan since 1906. It is one of the largest lollipop producers in the world and the only major candy cane producer in the United States. Other products include Saf-T-Pops® and Spangler Circus Peanuts.