At Nossi College of Art & Design, we celebrate student excellence each semester with a Student Awards Ceremony that honors outstanding creativity, dedication, and achievement across our programs.
Following the Fall 2025 Senior Exhibition earlier that day, students, faculty, and guests gathered to recognize this semester’s award nominees and winners. Nominees and recipients are selected through instructor votes, with ballots tallied by program to ensure each area of study is represented.
CLASS PARTICIPATION AWARD
Students who show an extra amount of interest in class. Ask questions and participate in class activities.
GRAPHIC DESIGN NOMINEES: Torian Staggs, Kathryn Conde, Sydnee Baldwin, Ryan Gardenhire, Halley Harris, Ana Carreon, and Allen Scott
GRAPHIC DESIGN WINNER: Kathryn Conde
ILLUSTRATION TECHNOLOGIES NOMINEES: Erica Vasquez, Emily Sutton, Ella Witten, Miles Dunn, Campsey Ziegler, and Devon Ha’o
ILLUSTRATION TECHNOLOGIES WINNER: Ella Witten
PHOTOGRAPHY NOMINEES: Serena Dearman, Jaroslaw Markiewicz, Ryleigh Thomas, Christopher Lopez-Ortiz, Isiah Billups, and Hadyn Hunter
PHOTOGRAPHY WINNER: Serena Dearman
VIDEOGRAPHY & FILMMAKING NOMINEES: Matea Dailey, Sydney Petrel, Terry Mays, William (Cooper) Austin, Zane Taplin, and Loretta Finchum
VIDEOGRAPHY & FILMMAKING WINNER: Zane Taplin
CULINARY ARTS NOMINEES: Caden Pote, Anna Palmer, and Haley Johnson
CULINARY ARTS WINNER: Caden Pote
MOST IMPROVED AWARD
Student who showed a remarkable improvement in the quality of work during the semester.
GRAPHIC DESIGN NOMINEES: Kaley Dupriest, Taylor Stringer, Jordan Williams, Ryan Gardenhire, Halley Harris, and Allen Scott
GRAPHIC DESIGN WINNER: Ryan Gardenhire
ILLUSTRATION TECHNOLOGIES NOMINEES: Gabriell Mattes, Jazmyne Jackson, Ella Witten, Miles Dunn, Campsey Zeigler, and Addah O’Brien
ILLUSTRATION TECHNOLOGIES WINNER: Campsey Ziegler
PHOTOGRAPHY NOMINEES: Ruby Johnson, Megan Veldman, Michael Yager, Anna Stanford, Katlynn Easton, Isiah Billups, Brandon Mallard, and Peyton Wyatt
PHOTOGRAPHY WINNER: Megan Veldman
VIDEOGRAPHY & FILMMAKING NOMINEES: William (Cooper) Austin, Dashaun Hancock, Shelby Harvey, Zane Taplin, Loretta Finchum, and Christopher Davis
VIDEOGRAPHY & FILMMAKING WINNER: Willam (Cooper) Austin
CULINARY ARTS NOMINEES: Tracy Larkin, LaWayne Ruffin, Brigette Martinez Cruz, and Zachary Nicholson
CULINARY ARTS WINNER: LaWayne Ruffin
NOSSI AMBASSADOR AWARD
This award goes to a student who represents the College’s highest standards and has made extra efforts to get involved in further education and community partnerships outside of the classroom. This can be through any combination of community service, professional paid projects in their field of study,
or other school-sponsored activities, such as clubs.
Chosen by a select committee of staff members who are involved in these endeavors.
WINNER: Hill Mosley – Photography
CULINARY AMBASSADOR AWARD
This award goes to a student who represents the College’s highest standards and has made extra efforts to get involved in further education and community partnerships outside of the classroom. This can be through any combination of community service, professional paid projects in their field of study,
or other school-sponsored activities, such as clubs.
Chosen by a select committee of staff members who are involved in these endeavors.
WINNER: Anna Palmer - Culinary Arts
PERSEVERANCE RECOGNITION
This award recognizes a student who has overcome extreme difficulties and challenges to persist and succeed in their college endeavor.
WINNER: Hunter Ricker - Graphic Design
EXCELLENT STUDENT AWARD
A graduating student who has a GPA of at least 3.0 and exemplifies outstanding academic achievement, fully participates in the classroom and has a positive attitude about being a student.
WINNERS:
Taylor Stringer – Graphic Design
Jeanette Nettles - Illustration Technologies
Hill Mosley – Photography
ACADEMIC ALLSTARS AWARD
This award goes to each graduating student with the highest grade point average in their program of study. The award is earned based totally on the student’s GPA.
WINNERS:
Taylor Stringer
Jeanette Nettles
Hill Mosley
Jeffrey Allen
MOST CREATIVE AWARD
Nominees are graduating seniors only. Selected students demonstrate the highest level of imagination and creativity.
WINNERS:
Taylor Stringer
Jeanette Nettles
Brandon Mallard
Luis Fernandez Barquin
TOP CHEF AWARD
WINNER: Jeffrey Allen - Culinary Arts
TALENT DISCOVERY AWARD
This award goes to a graduating senior in a 4-year program who stands out as the “Best of the Best” of extremely talented students.
WINNER: Hill Mosley - Photography
Congratulations to all of the nominated students and award recipients from the Fall 2025 semester!
FALL 2025 AWARD PHOTOGRAPHY BY: DIVINA FERNANDO-EBLEN