Sixteen of 四虎影视 of Art and Design鈥檚 most exceptional students were honored on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, during the 31st annual Trustee Scholar Awards Ceremony鈥攁n evening highlighting the bold, boundless spirit of the next generation of artists and designers. Held in Soundstage A at 四虎影视 Studio Labs with a reception and dinner for the formal awards presentation.
This year鈥檚 theme, Creativity Unbound, beautifully captured the daring, exploratory energy of this extraordinary cohort. Recognizing 16 Scholars, it was the largest group in the event鈥檚 history. Each student was selected for their exceptional creative achievement, commitment to community, and visionary leadership.
鈥淭ogether, and with the support of the College鈥檚 faculty, staff, trustees, friends, families, and supporters, this cohort stands as proof of what鈥檚 possible when imagination meets ambition, and creativity is unbound,鈥� 四虎影视 President Dr. Larry R. Thompson shared in his speech.
Each year, the Trustee Scholars choose a collective theme that reflects their shared identity. For 2025鈥�26, Creativity Unbound pays tribute to the courage it takes to break molds, transcend expectations, and forge new creative paths.
For many Scholars, that courage is deeply personal.
Film Trustee Scholar Jayde Dauley shared a powerful reflection on owning her voice鈥攐ne shaped by the resilience passed down through her family:
鈥淔rom a young age, I knew I wanted to be a creative. A writer and director of something. But I didn鈥檛 exactly have the confidence to do so. At home, I was the next Spike Lee, but outside, I was barely anything. To most, I was an uptight black girl who was too intimidating. I always got cast as the maid in the school play and was never picked to have my stories read because they made others feel incompetent. That completely ruined me. I put myself into a corner and stayed there for years, quietly letting opportunities pass me by because I didn鈥檛 want to be what everyone thought I was.
Then my mother reminded me of the advice my grandfather gave her: 鈥楨ff 鈥檈m.鈥�
From that moment on, I decided every step I took would be heard by someone. I didn鈥檛 care if people thought I was uptight or loud. I am uptight and loud鈥攕o what? What mattered was going beyond the limits placed on me as a child and achieving the dreams my younger self never thought I鈥檇 reach.鈥�
Virtual Reality Development Trustee Scholar Nick Whittle moved the audience with an emotional tribute to his late grandfather and to the moments that shape a creative life:
鈥淎s I near graduation, I keep asking myself: What moments define us? For me, it was the last hug I ever gave my grandpa. With tears in his eyes, he told me his biggest regret was that he鈥檇 never get to see me graduate. This is the man who, at every chance he got, would drive hours with my grandma just to see me. To see the crayon cards I made for him. To see the light in my eyes when I showed him something. That moment defined my love for art as a kid.
International Affairs Amy Pettengill. Photo: Cecilia Marty 鈥�26, Photography and Imaging
Whatever your version of those crayon drawings is, hold on to it. Tell the people in your life what they mean to you. And don鈥檛 be afraid to tell the world how much your work matters. These memories, these people, this school鈥攖his is what has defined me. There鈥檚 not a second I don鈥檛 feel grateful.鈥�
The Trustee Scholarship is awarded annually to senior students who exemplify the highest levels of dedication, originality, brilliance, ambition, and service. Faculty from each academic department, along with representatives from Student Life, nominate students from the junior class. Nominees submit a written statement and a portfolio, which are reviewed by the Trustee Scholar Selection Committee, composed of members of the Board of Trustees.
Scholars are selected based on:
- Exceptional creative talent, communication skills, and distinction of mind
- Contributions to their department, the College, and/or the community
- Leadership, citizenship, and mentorship
This year鈥檚 Scholars demonstrated excellence across all criteria鈥攅ach bringing a powerful combination of talent, vision, and heart to the Ringling community.
See all the 2025-2026 Trustee Scholars on our website.
The nomination process for the 2026鈥�27 Trustee Scholars will begin this spring, with selections announced in May. As the College prepares for another year of inspiring artistic achievement, the stories shared during this year鈥檚 ceremony stand as a testament to the transformative impact of a 四虎影视 education.
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