Students from the Spokane Falls Community College Graphic Design program recently earned top honors at the 2026 Local American Advertising Awards hosted by the American Advertising Federation Spokane chapter.
The annual competition celebrates excellence in advertising, design, and visual communication while highlighting emerging creative talent from across the region.
“We’re incredibly proud to see so many of our students honored at the 2026 Local American Advertising Awards,” said SFCC Graphic Design Instructor John Mujica. “This kind of industry recognition can be a powerful launchpad as graduating designers begin their careers. These awards are especially meaningful because they recognize the creativity, professionalism, and hard work our students have demonstrated throughout their time in the Graphic Design program.”
Student Award Recipients
- Caya Berndt — Lilac (Bronze) Award
- Jadyn Grace Berry — Lilac (Bronze) Award
- Kennedy Comstock — Gold Award
- Gavin Davis — Gold Award
- Kayla Gilb — Silver Award (two awards)
- Randy Heath — Gold Award, two Silver Awards, and Lilac (Bronze) Award
- Avery Hudson — Silver Award
- Anastasiya Kim — Silver Award
- Courtney Owen — Lilac (Bronze) Award
- Joseph Pruitt — Gold Award and Ascender Award
- Raiden Reed — Silver Award
- Ella Schelley — Gold Award and Lilac (Bronze) Award
- Sabrina “Atticus” Shallbetter — Lilac (Bronze) Award
- Mathew Shields — Gold Award and two Lilac (Bronze) Awards
- Evelina Tischenko — Gold Award
- Larsen Woods — Silver Award
In addition to the individual honors, the SFCC Graphic Design program received two Gold Awards and Best of Show recognition for its “Culture Through Design: 2025 Grad Show Event” integrated brand identity campaign.
Award recipient Ella Schelley said she was “excited and a little shocked” to learn her work had received recognition.
“Receiving this award felt really rewarding and meaningful to me,” Schelley said. “I’m looking forward to continuing to grow my skills as a designer and exploring different areas of design work.”
Evelina Tischenko said she discovered the news late at night while checking email and “stared at the email for a good ten minutes” after learning she had earned a district Gold ADDY Award.
Looking ahead to her professional career, Tischenko said she is excited by “the opportunity to have a direct impact on my community” and to use graphic design “to make the world a more pleasant place to be in.”