Dozens compete for best sand sculpture

GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WOOD) - Dozens of people came out to the Grand Haven beach Saturday to make an art statement in the sand.

30 teams of sand artists dug in at Grand Haven City beach to compete in the 31st Annual Chamber Sand Sculpture Contest.

The teams had two hours to create their sculptures.

30 teams and over 160 individuals competing in several categories. Below are the winning results: 

 

Child’s Category of 1 participant under 12 years old:

1 ^st Place:  Team 42, and artist Akexandra Stoika, with a sculpture of Sea Turtles.

 

Children’s Category with 2-7 participants under 12 years old:

1 ^st Place: Electric Doughnuts, consisted of team members, Sonia Kwiatkowski, Charlotte Best, Chloe Collings, and Emily Fredette with their sculpture of turtles.

2 ^nd Place: Beach Monkeys, Deanna Brunsting, Nadia Speulstra, Nico Speulstra, Simon Speulstra, and Payton Speulstra with their sculpture of Castles and Pyramids. 

3 ^rd Place: Lil’ Sand Carvers, team members: Cadence Nowakowski, Declan Nowakowski, Tony DiMeglio, Alexander Anyse, Cassie DiMeglio, and William Anyse with their sculpture of Legos.

 

Individual’s Category of 1 participant 12 years or olde:.

1 ^st Place:  Conny Melchi with her sculpture of playful puppies.

2 ^nd Place: SanManDan, artist Daniel Uzarski, and his sculpture “The Breakaway.”

3 ^rd Place: Castle, Andrew Hylen and his sculpture of a castle.

 

Castle Category is devoted solely to the creation of sand castles.  Teams could be made up of any age and any number of members specializing in castles:

1 ^st Place: Beach Sandsations, team members: Paul and Ingrid Speulstra and Brian, Julie and Adam Brunsting.

2 ^nd Place: Sand for Brains, team members: Ethan Nass, Mitch McGinnis, and Riley O’Conner.

 

Family’s Category of 2-7 participants of all ages:

1 ^st Place: Freedom Flyers, team members: Terri, Joe, and Josiah Mazzola with Justin and Mikayla Schansema with their sculpture of Madagascar.

2 ^nd Place:  Sand Carvers, team members: Kevin, Tom, Emily and Claire DiMeglio, Michelle Kapa, and Joe and Deanna Nowakowski with their sculpture of Pac Man.

3 ^rd Place: Team Sandy, team members: Becky, Nik, Lily and Ezra Degraaf and their sculpture of Afro Circus.

 

Crew’s Category of 8-15 participants of all ages:

1 ^st Place:  Dudes & Dudettes, team members: Tom, Gwen and Jack Lang, Ted and Cary, with their sculpture of “I © Grand Haven.”

2 ^nd Place:  The Dunebuggy’s, team members: Nikki, Tim, Nate, Grace Nass, Steve Essex, Kelly, Sophia, Bella, and Mia Schincarid, Jake, Larissa, and Stacy with their sculpture of “Summer Camp 2012.”

3 ^rd Place: Sandy Sailors, team members: Maggie LaLonde, Sidney Lalonde, Molly McGinnis, Kate Armstrong, Sarah Herndl, Loren Johnson, Cassie Durrant, Elise Nadeau, Alexis Nadeua, Chloe LaLonde, Jackson Durrant, and Veronica Booth with their sculpture of a row boat and mermaids.

 

Honorable Mention was awarded to Sand Dawgs with their sculpture of Mermaids. The People’s Choice Award went to The Dunebuggy’s with their sculpture, “Summer Camp 2012".