Nicholson School of Communication and Media Ad/PR students received prestigious awards on February 22nd at the annual American Advertising Awards. As part of the American Advertising Federation, the event celebrated the region’s most outstanding work across various media categories. The honorees exemplified outstanding creativity and innovation in advertising.
- Two exceptional students, Yzabella De Los Santos and Belle Kinney received scholarships thanks to the generous support from bigeye, Net Conversion, OUTFRONT Media, Push, and Six the Agency.
- Nicholson student Rheniah Toledo received an honorable mention along with a mentorship session from the Orlando American Advertising Federation in support of her professional growth.
- Several Nicholson students volunteered to work at the event. Supporting the American Advertising Federation while making valuable industry connections.
- A group of Ad/PR students received a Silver ADDY Award for a Levi’s Jeans Spec Ad/Mock Campaign completed as a group project in a Nicholson class. The award details are available here. The winners include: Andy Ayup [featured in photo]; Deborah Bello; Peyton Carter; Jade Lebleu; and Brianna Streeter. The award details are available here.
The scholarship will also help De Los Santons achieve her academic and career goals in advertising. “The education scholarship will help me achieve my academic and career goals in advertising by helping me pay for required textbooks, software, and any other expenses. This is not only helpful financially but also professionally. This is a great beginning step in my career, and it will help me get my name out there in the Orlando advertising industry. I am honored that AAF Orlando recognized me,” said De Los Santos.
NSCM student, Andy Ayup, and his group won a Silver ADDY at the American Advertising Awards. Ayup gave a brief summary about the mock campaign that he and his group created. He shared that, “the Levi’s Jeans Spec Ad/Mock Campaign that my group and I created was aimed at reaching a new market in Paris, France! This felt like a fun challenge to take on, because usually in a class like this it’s easiest for a group to create an advertising campaign for a target audience within the US. I also felt a special affinity to France, because of my French-Canadian background, and my preconceived notion of the classic blue jeans fashion trend happening in Europe. As my first language, I felt like it would be easy for me to help with the translations for our French advertising. I also had made a friend who was an au pair from Paris, which helped us connect with her directly and ask what the trends and needs from our target demographic were.”
Additionally, Ayup highlights the importance of this award and what it meant to him. “It is an honor to receive this award! Advertising Copywriting with Professor Jarmoszko was my first in-person advertising class for my major, so to be recognized with such little experience was super rewarding. The hard work my group and I put into our campaign and Jarmoszko’s guidance throughout the semester all played big roles in getting recognized for our mock campaign.”
Instructor of AD/PR at NSCM, Gabrielle Jarmoszko offered words of support for the students. “I am incredibly proud of these students,” she said. “These awards recognize and reward them for their hard work and constant dedication to going above and beyond. Opportunities like these are wonderful ways to support, uplift and propel Ad/PR students into the early stages of their careers.”
Levi Jeans Award.
Silver ADDY award.
Student volunteers.
Written by Majdulina Hamed. Photos courtesy of Gabrielle Jarmoszko.
Published to Nicholson News on March 10th, 2025.
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