Former longtime Miami Lakes resident, Jasmine Fernandez, received the highest honor a student can earn at Ringling College of Art & Design in Sarasota, FL. She was named the Trustee Scholar by the Board of Trustees at the college.
Each year, the Ringling College Board of Trustees awards its highest honor, the Trustee Scholarship, to an exclusive group of extraordinary rising seniors. The hard work, talent, spirit, and dedication of the 12 award recipients exemplify excellence. The scholarship recipients and the nominees will be honored at an official recognition ceremony in the fall.
Two Trustee Scholar nominees are selected each spring from the junior class by the faculty of each major and the Office of Student Life. The Board of Trustees' Trustee Scholar Selection Committee, led this year by Trustee Larry Garberding, reviews each student's submission materials and portfolio, makes their selection, and recommends the appointment of scholars to the entire Board of Trustees based on exceptional talent, contribution to the department, and leadership ability.
Fernandez has earned other prestigious titles during her academic career. She placed third in the nation for the Geico National Safety Contest while attending third grade at Miami Lakes K-8 Center, formerly Miami Lakes Elementary. The award earned the school $500 worth of art supplies. She also went on to win first place in the state for the Stock Market Challenge in fifth grade. While attending Miami Lakes Educational Center (MLEC), Fernandez won the Ocean Bank Art exhibition award, the Silver Knight for Art and helped create a lasting mural for the school. She graduated from MLEC in 2012 Summa Cum Laude and was accepted to FSU, UF, UCF and Ringling College of Art & Design with multiple scholarships.
She chose Ringling College of Art & Design, because she wanted to be among the best artists and designers from the world. Fernandez said, “In order to be the best, you need to be challenged by the best. I have to credit my parents for allowing me to pursue my passion in Motion Design. They have been my biggest supporters and by allowing me to spread my wings, I have been able to soar.”
Fernandez has been the graphic designer for Teen USA Magazine and has worked on special projects for the Orioles, Boyce Avenue, Nike and TV Land among others. Her film “Famous Felines” won second place at the Sarasota Film Festival in 2014.
“When I first heard that I was nominated for the Trustee Scholar and selected as a winner, I was in shock. There are so many talented students and to be named the best of the best is truly an honor. I am really humbled and thankful to the Board of Trustees on selecting me for this prestigious honor,” said Fernandez. “I will never forget the first time I walked by the Trustee Scholar Wall with my parents during freshman year. I admired them all and now I will be among them. The feeling is surreal. I know I am where I belong.”