The South Bend Community School Corporation is proud to announce that two students from the Graphic Design Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at Riley High School have earned national recognition in the 2025 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running program honoring creative teens.
Jaylon Woods, a student at Adams High School participating in the Arts Magnet program hosted at Riley, received a Gold Medal for his graphic design piece titled “Marigold.” Sora Snyder, a Riley High School student, earned a Silver Medal for their digital art piece, “Collage of Chaos.” This recognition earns them a place among the top young artists in the country.
To reach the national level, both students first secured Gold Key Awards in the regional competition. Their submissions then advanced to a highly competitive national adjudication, judged for originality, technical skill, and personal voice or vision. Past recipients of this prestigious honor include Andy Warhol, Stephen King, and Ken Burns.
As national medalists, both students are invited to a celebration at Carnegie Hall in New York City, where they will be recognized alongside other top creative students from across the country.
“This is an amazing opportunity—I’m so excited for this,” said Woods.
“I never thought I’d even stand near Carnegie Hall. I’m so thrilled with myself, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my wonderful art teachers,” added Snyder.
Benjamin Murray-Oates, the Graphic Design CTE teacher at Riley, expressed his pride in their accomplishments: “We’ve had a wonderfully creative team of artists this year, but these two students in particular have impressed me with their ingenuity and dedication to their craft. I couldn’t be more proud.”
These honors highlight the strength of the arts and CTE programs within South Bend Schools, which give students the opportunity to develop their skills, pursue their passions, and achieve excellence at the national level.