Centenary students achieve record-breaking success at ADDY Awards
Centenary students had an exceptional year at the 2025 Addy Awards Gala, sponsored by the American Advertising Federation of Shreveport-Bossier. This year marked a record-breaking achievement for Centenary students with seven students being recognized, the highest number ever received in a single year. The Gala took place on Saturday, February 19, at Louisiana State University Shreveport.
Jessica Hawkins, an associate professor of communication arts, expressed pride in the students’ exceptional achievements, attributing their success to their remarkable talent, dedication, and creativity. She highlighted the significance of students being acknowledged for their work outside the classroom, emphasizing the award-winning creative excellence, particularly for projects like the Learning Commons “Prep Week Pomodoros” social media campaign that secured Student Best of Show.
Among the stand-out winners, Kay Christopher ’26 and Arionna Thomas ’26 were recognized with a Gold Award and Student Best of Show for their outstanding work on The Learning Commons campaign. Bryan Washington ’27 received a Silver Award for his “Sound Minds Rebranding” cross-platform campaign, in addition to a Bronze Award for a magazine ad linked to the campaign. Washington’s magazine ad also earned him the Special Judges’ “Killer Copy” award.
Further, Raven Hayes ’27 was celebrated for her Gold Award in the “Homage Rock Festival Poster” category. Savannah Stowers ’26 stood out with a Gold Award for the “Let The Good Times Roll Festival” magazine ad, a Silver Award for the brand identity campaign, and a Bronze Award for the cross-platform advertising campaign for “Let the Good Times Roll Festival.” Dani Kimmey ’26 also showcased her talent with a Silver Award for The Gambler book cover design and a Bronze Award for the Pandora magazine promotional poster.
Additionally, Teddy Graves ’27 was recognized with a Bronze Award for the Kubrick Film book cover series. The Addys’ local segment serves as the initial phase of a three-tier national competition, culminating in district and national levels. Gold Addy award recipients progress to the Addy 10th District Awards, competing against entries from Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. Winners at the district stage advance to the national level competition, displaying exceptional talent and creativity.
This exceptional performance by Centenary students underscores the university’s dedication to nurturing creative talent, innovation, and excellence. The students’ remarkable success at the Addy Awards Gala is a testament to their hard work, commitment, and outstanding creativity, placing Centenary University in the spotlight as a hub of exceptional talent and innovation in the field of advertising and design. Each award won by the students exemplifies the highest standards of creativity, design, and innovation, showcasing Centenary’s commitment to excellence in education and creative arts.