POLSON - Maclaen Burningham, a life-long Polson resident and a friendly face to many in the community, recently won first place in a national logo competition put on by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities.

Burningham, who was born with a rare genetic disorder called Prader-Willi Syndrome, is an emerging leader and advisory board member of the Montana Transition Training, Information and Resource Center. He was encouraged to apply by fellow MT-TIRC members after he volunteered to participate on a logo committee for the organization as a part of his advisory duties.

"The committee members were so impressed by his creation, they urged him to submit it in the national contest," Kim Brown, Rural Institute Transition Projects Coordinator, said.

Maclaen thought of the design for the logo, while other board members assisted in its production.

"The idea was to try to come up with a logo that would represent disabilities and trying to make the connection with other people," Maclaen's mother, Valerie, said.

Maclaen said the rainbow represents hope, the puzzle piece with the wheelchair represents disabilities, the piece with the people represents family, friends and community and the piece with the globe represents the world and calls everyone to get involved.

Maclaen said he received an e-mail informing him about his first place finish in the competition.

"I thought it was pretty cool," Maclaen said. "I won a trip to Arlington, Virginia, to attend the Technical Assistance Institute."

Maclaen's prize was an all expense paid trip to the Youth Information and Training Resource Center's Technical Assistance Institute.

According to their Website, the goal of the YITRC is to support an increasing ability of individuals with developmental disabilities to exercise greater choice, self-determination and to engage in leadership activities in their communities.

Maclaen became an emerging leader of MT-TIRC after he spent a few years working with the Rural Institute Transition Projects in high school and also following graduation in 2002. MT-TIRC works with individuals up to age 30, who have disabilities.

Valerie said the organization also works with the parents of disabled youth and numerous agencies.

"It is a resource of information for anyone that wants to use it," Valerie said.

Brown said that the advisory board, of which Maclaen is a part of, is one of the best qualities of the project.

"Watching the growth of these individuals has been spectacular," Brown said. "Maclaen is a perfect example of this. He is going to conferences and giving presentations. He also writes articles in newsletters and interviews other emerging leaders and wins national contests."

Brown said that the MT-TIRC was originally funded three years ago by a grant and that the funding for the organization will be coming to an end September 30.

After Maclaen and other advisory board members were informed about the funding dilemma, they decided to start a fundraiser in order to keep their organization alive.

They are selling T-shirts on their Website and at various events. The T-shirts share information about the emerging leader project and the MT-TIRC. Call Maclaen at 883-6870 or 883-2552 for more information.