Two Silver Award Winners Advance to National Competition

SAN BERNARDINO >> Two California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB) students won Silver Awards recently at the district level of the American Advertising Awards competition, allowing them to compete at the national level. Advancing to the national competition of the ADDY Awards are Sarah Bither, who completed her bachelor’s in art-graphic design during the winter quarter with a minor in marketing, and Suner Mauerhan, a graphic design student. Bither received her award in the packaging category and Mauerhan received her award in the poster category. “Winning this award is a very personal achievement to me,” said Bither. “I really struggle with having confidence in myself and taking pride in my work, and this has often kept me from putting myself out there in events like the ADDYs. I absolutely could not, and would not have gotten to this point without the support and encouragement from my professors, my classmates, and the faculty here at CSUSB.” “I am extremely privileged to receive the Silver Award at the district level of the American Advertising Awards and to represent CSUSB,” said Mauerhan. “I would like to thank the art department for giving me the initial opportunity in the regional awards competition. I am very grateful to have my work acknowledged by the design community." The district level of the American Advertising Awards competition covers all of Southern California and Western Nevada. The competition consisted of thousands of entries that won awards in their own regions. “Myself and my colleagues in the department of art and design here at CSUSB are really delighted for and proud of our students' success in the recent local and regional heats of the ADDYs,” said Matthew Poole, art department chair. “This is a great achievement for Suner and Sarah, and we have all our fingers crossed that they may progress to the next stage in the competition.” Conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation, the Inland Empire ADDY Awards is the first of a three-tier, national competition. Concurrently, all across the country, local entrants vie for recognition as the very best in their markets. “I am personally very grateful for the energy and commitment of my colleagues, professor Andrew Oakes (design) and Jacob Poore (Coyote Advertising), who have been supervising the project and mentoring the students throughout,” said Poole. “It's a terrific opportunity for our coyote design students to take part in a professional competition and to meet, talk with, and show work to industry leaders.”