SCORE logo holds memories

Almost everyone who has participated in SCORE camp–whether that be as a camper, volunteer or staff member–has a SCORE camp shirt. And if you received that shirt after 1995, a familiar logo graced the front. That logo has been used from 1997 until today. Each year, the logo is printed on a different color shirt that is distributed to everyone who participates in the camp.
It all began with a question from SCORE camp founder and director Marla Smith to CCS student Mark Jantz. Mark had been a student of Marla’s in junior high but he was now a sophomore in high school and already a promising artist and Marla knew this. She asked if he would be willing to design a logo for SCORE camp. She had a vision that was inspired by a shirt with a pair of hands holding the Earth and wondered if, instead of the Earth, the hands could be holding the state of Nebraska. To Marla, this shirt was a reminder that we are all “caretakers of planet Earth.” Using this as a jumping off point, Mark went to work creating what would become the SCORE logo for years to come.
He used a cottonwood tree as the base and hid 33 native Nebraska animals among the branches and leaves. It is always a fun challenge for the kids when they receive their shirt to search for all the different creatures. The North, South, and Platte rivers were also incorporated, as well as Lake McConaughy. A star was added to represent Imperial as the home of SCORE camp. Holding all of this up was the hands of Mark, himself. With that, the logo envisioned by Marla and brought to life by Mark became the official SCORE logo and has been on every camp shirt since 1997.
Mark currently lives in Lincoln with his wife, 7 year-old son and 1 year-old daughter. He works for an interior design company and uses both his artistic and construction background to create his clients’ visions. He has also sold many of his own paintings throughout the years. He says that his son also has an interest in the arts and spends a lot of time creating art and tinkering in the workshop.
While he was not able to attend the SCORE Celebration, Marla was able to present him with his original drawing. Mark says that this was very cool and touching and that Marla was one of his favorite teachers in school.