Jasmine “Jazz” Fernandez, daughter of Abel and Karen Fernandez of Miami Lakes, has graduated at the top of her class at Ringling College of Art & Design in Sarasota. She received her BFA in Motion Design with high honors and was also named the Trustee Scholar, the highest honor a student can receive at Ringling.
Fernandez is a former resident of Miami Lakes and attended Miami Lakes Elementary, Miami Lakes Middle School and Miami Lakes Education Center, where she graduated with honors and the Silver Knight Award for Art. She was accepted to Ringling College of Art & Design with multiple scholarships.
Her talents have earned her a second place ranking at the Sarasota Film Festival and Best of Ringling Awards. Fernandez was chosen for a prestigious internship with Showtime Networks in New York City her Junior year and worked on shows like the Emmys and Billions. She was hired before graduation by top VFX design company, The Mill, as a motion graphics artist, designer and animator for their Chicago office.
Fernandez said “Going to Ringling College really helped me grow as an artist and designer and let me learn from the best in the industry. I am very lucky to get to work on amazing projects for big clients and have fun doing what I love.”
Actor Mark Ruffalo was the guest speaker at her graduation.
“It was pretty cool getting my diploma from an Avenger aka the Hulk,” said Fernandez.
Her grandmother, Gloria Taylor, who still lives in Miami Lakes said, “I am so proud of her. I only wish her grandfather, who was an artist, was still alive to see what an amazing artist and designer she has become. He would be so proud!”