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D-5's Harelson, daughter create winning dummy for launch

With inspiration from the Engineering Manager, Brian Poole, and an empty from the Project Development Engineer, Mark Snyder, Materials Engineer Dan Harelson helped his daughter Nina win first place in the Pebble Creek Dummy Race with the “Monster Smoker”.  

Nina thought that a beer-themed dummy would be a sure winner but Brian’s advice steered her away from alcohol and towards energy drinks.  Mark Snyder’s energy drink habit and an empty can from the recycle bin provided a model for Dan’s wife Laurie to decorate an old smoker to look like a can of Monster Java Energy Drink. 

Nina’s management skills, Dan’s engineering genius, a $5 pair of skis from Goodwill and 60 pounds of concrete completed the “Monster Smoker”.  

With Sean McAteer from Poky Maintenance officiating for Pebble Creek at the start, Nina aimed her dummy for the jump and let it rip.  Her jump was judged best overall in the categories of style, staying on course, big air, landing on target and staying intact.

Published 5-4-2012