News : VSHS senior portfolio class create a work of art: Voting Nov. 3-7

Mrs. Otto's senior portfolio class won the chance to enter a design contest for the Crosley company, a record player company out of Kentucky. The class had the opportunity to design their own classroom record player to enter into the contest.

The class needs our help to continue. There are a few stages of the contest and social media exposure and votes are one of them.

Vote on your phone, vote on your computer! Have all of the kids in the house vote!

Public Voting Opens November 3–7 for National Crosley Custom Cruiser Contest

Students from Vinton-Shellsburg High School senior portfolio class have transformed the iconic Crosley Cruiser Record Player into a work of art; the public is invited to vote daily by region.

Vinton-Shellsburg High School and Mrs. Otto’s senior portfolio art class is proud to participate in the nationwide Crosley Custom Cruiser Contest, where students from over 200 high schools across the U.S. have transformed the iconic Crosley Cruiser Record Player into original works of art. The Viking community is invited to support our students by voting from November 3–7.

How to Vote (Nov. 3–7)

• Visit: crosleyradio.com/cruiser-contest (Go there today and enter the waitlist)

• Browse entries in five geographic regions

• Vote once per day in each region

• Share + encourage community support

Follow our class social media journey at:

Tiktok: VSHS portfolio class  

Instagram: vshs_artroom  

Facebook: VSHS Art Room

Or contact Mrs. Otto at lindsey.otto@govikes.org 

Regional winners determined by public vote will move forward to the national judging round. Then, a Crosley panel will evaluate creativity, craftsmanship, and thematic storytelling to select the Grand Prize Winner.

Prizes

• Grand Prize: $2,500 for the school’s art program + up to 25 Cruiser Record Players for the participating students

• 2nd – 5th Place: $500 for the school’s art program

• Best Social Media Video: $500 for the school’s art program + up to 25 Cruiser Record Players for the participating students

The contest promotes hands-on creativity and supports the arts at a time when many school programs face limited funding. It also encourages students to see music not just as entertainment, but as something that brings people together.

“Getting vinyl into the hands of the next generation isn’t just about nostalgia — it’s about giving students a tangible, tactile connection to music,” said Andrea Wellkamp, VP of Product Development and Merchandising at Crosley. “There’s something powerful about holding a record, placing the needle, and really listening. It teaches patience, care, and shared experience. These students aren’t just creating art, they’re becoming part of music culture in a real and meaningful way.”

“We wanted this contest to encourage communities to come together to lift up young artists,” said Keith Starr, President of Crosley. “When people vote, they’re not just choosing a design, they’re showing students that their creativity matters.”

About the Contest
Originally piloted in Kentucky in 2024, the Custom Cruiser Contest has expanded to a national initiative supporting art classrooms across the United States. Crosley sent participating schools a Cruiser Record Player on which they could draw, paint, or more to create a design the world has never seen before. The schools get to keep the record player along with donated vinyl. This year’s theme, “Band Together,” encourages students to interpret unity, collaboration, culture, and the power of music in their own visual styles.

Each school submitted:

• 7 images of their customized Crosley Cruiser turntable

• A short design statement explaining their inspiration

About Crosley Radio
Crosley Radio is a leading innovator in the record player industry, recognized for its blend of retro designs with modern technology. With a rich history dating back to 1921, Crosley Radio continues to be a trailblazer in audio technology as one of the largest record player manufacturers to date.