We have a champion—and not just any champion. This year’s Media Madness competition has made history as Kaelin Lamadrid, a post-secondary student, takes the title for the second year in a row. This marks the first time we’ve seen a repeat champion.

Media Madness continues to be one of the most exciting ways for Digital Media Design students to share their work, gain exposure, and engage in a little friendly competition. From the first round to the championship matchup, this year’s bracket was filled with creativity, innovation, and strong storytelling. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who participated and to all who took the time to vote in each round—you helped make this experience meaningful and engaging for our students.

Kaelin’s winning piece, “Love Me Not,” stood out not only for its visual style but for its emotional depth and storytelling.

This animatic, set to the song “Love Me Not” by Ravyn Lenae, introduces viewers to Kaelin’s original character, Misa Miller—a rising popstar better known in the music world as Miss Riot. Set in 2004, the story follows Misa as she navigates a complicated, emotionally charged relationship with a fellow rockstar who has significantly more fame and influence.

At its core, the piece explores a powerful and relatable internal conflict. Misa finds herself caught between two competing desires: pursuing her own happiness or leveraging a messy, undefined relationship to elevate her career. Their dynamic is anything but stable—marked by mixed signals, unclear boundaries, and an ongoing cycle of being “on and off” without ever fully committing. It’s less of a relationship and more of a situation, and that ambiguity becomes central to the story being told.

What makes this animatic especially compelling is its ability to capture the tension between personal identity and public persona. Misa is forced to consider whether she should prioritize her authentic self or lean into a more performative version—one that aligns with the image she’s always wanted to project to the world. It’s a narrative that feels incredibly relevant, especially in today’s media landscape, where branding, image, and perception often compete with personal truth.

Kaelin’s work demonstrates a strong understanding of storytelling, character development, and emotional pacing. Even in a short animatic form, the piece effectively conveys mood, tone, and narrative arc. It’s clear that careful thought went into not only the visual composition but also the deeper message behind the story.

Winning Media Madness once is an impressive accomplishment. Winning it twice—while continuing to grow as a creator—is something truly special. Kaelin has set a new standard and shown what’s possible when creativity, dedication, and storytelling come together.

Congratulations again to Kaelin Lamadrid, our two-time Media Madness Champion! We can’t wait to see what you create next.

Students recently traveled to Tulsa to compete in the Business Professionals of America (BPA) State Leadership Conference (SLC). While the competition was strong and the accomplishments impressive, the experience was about much more than medals. Throughout the event, students built new friendships, supported one another, and represented Francis Tuttle with professionalism and pride.

SLC gives students the opportunity to demonstrate the technical and creative skills they have been developing throughout the year. From graphic design to desktop publishing and project management concepts, Danforth students competed against talented peers from across the state.

This year was especially exciting for the Danforth BPA Chapter, with students earning multiple medals across several competitive events.

🥇 First Place

• Ryan Fanning — Graphic Design Promotion (PS)
• Ava Lamb — Advanced Desktop Publishing (PS)

🥈 Second Place

• EJ Cail — Digital Communication & Design Concepts (S)
• Luke Foster — Graphic Design Promotion (S)
• Ariela Eiklor — Fundamentals of Desktop Publishing (PS)
• Kaelin Lamadrid — Graphic Design Promotion (PS)

🥉 Third Place

• Candy Olvera-Aleman — Advanced Desktop Publishing (S)
• Ariela Eiklor — Project Management Concepts (PS)
• Ryan Fanning — Fundamentals of Desktop Publishing (PS)

Students placing first in their events will advance to the BPA National Leadership Conference, where they will represent Francis Tuttle in Nashville, Tennessee, this May.

While the awards are a tremendous accomplishment, the most meaningful part of the conference was the experience students shared together — collaborating, encouraging each other, and forming friendships that will last well beyond the competition.

Congratulations to all of our Danforth BPA competitors for their hard work, creativity, and dedication. We are proud of the way they represented our campus and look forward to cheering on our national qualifiers in Nashville!

We are excited to celebrate an incredible student achievement! Sue Hunt, a student at our partner school Edmond North High School, has officially qualified for the Adobe U.S. National Championship, taking place this June in Nashville, Tennessee.

To earn her spot at Nationals, Sue first had to pass the Adobe Certified Professional Certification in Photoshop, demonstrating advanced technical skills and industry-level proficiency. She then submitted an original design, which was evaluated at a national level, setting her apart from students across the country.

Sue will proudly represent Oklahoma, Francis Tuttle, Edmond North, and the broader Edmond community at the competition. Qualifying for Nationals is a major accomplishment and speaks volumes about her creativity, dedication, and hard work.

As Sue prepares for this exciting opportunity, we invite our community to support her journey. Donations are greatly appreciated and will help cover travel expenses as she represents our state on the national stage.

We are incredibly proud of Sue and can’t wait to cheer her on in Nashville!

We’re thrilled to introduce the 2025-26 Danforth BPA Executive Council! These student leaders were selected for their dedication, leadership, and enthusiasm for all things BPA. Throughout the year, they’ll represent our chapter, help organize events, and inspire other members to get involved and grow their professional skills.

This year’s officers are:

• President: EJ Cail – Edmond Memorial High School
• Vice President: Brooklynn Hauge – Edmond Santa Fe High School
• Secretary: Sadira Wofford – Post-Secondary
• Treasurer: Ava Lamb – Post-Secondary
• Reporter: Molly Moore – Edmond Santa Fe High School

As a team, they’ll take part in several exciting opportunities, beginning with the Oklahoma BPA Fall Leadership Conference (FLC), where they’ll network with other BPA members from across the state and strengthen their leadership skills. You’ll also see them representing our chapter at the annual Boo Bash event, where they’ll help spread school spirit and community engagement.

In addition to these major events, the officers are planning a number of creative and fun activities throughout the year to keep members connected and motivated. They’re especially looking forward to helping our members succeed at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) in March, where students will showcase the skills they’re learning in our Digital Media Design program through competitions and presentations.

With their energy, creativity, and commitment to excellence, this Executive Council is ready to make 2025-26 one of our most active and successful years yet. Join us in congratulating these outstanding students as they represent the Danforth BPA Chapter with pride and professionalism.

We are excited to share that Brooklynn, a student from our partner school Edmond Santa Fe, has been selected for the 2025–2026 Superintendent’s Leadership Academy (SLA)!

This is an incredible honor, as students must go through an application and interview process to be chosen. Brooklynn’s hard work, dedication, and leadership potential stood out, earning her this opportunity to grow and shine.

As part of the program, Brooklynn will:

• Participate in team-building activities with students from across the district.
• Volunteer at the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank to make a positive impact on the community.
• Learn about effective communication and leadership skills.
• Visit the Oklahoma State Capitol to gain insight into civic engagement and leadership in action.

This experience will help Brooklynn strengthen her leadership skills and continue paving the way toward a bright future. We are proud of her accomplishments and can’t wait to see the impact she will make!

We’re thrilled to celebrate Alexis Paul from Edmond Santa Fe for qualifying this spring as one of only 50 students nationwide selected to compete at the Adobe Certified Professional U.S. National Championship!

Alexis earned her spot through a two-step process—first, by passing the rigorous Adobe Illustrator Certification Exam, and then by submitting original, standout creative work that impressed the judges. Her dedication, talent, and drive have set her apart as one of the best in the country.

This June, Alexis will head to Dallas, Texas, to compete in the national finals. There, she’ll apply her skills in a real-world challenge—designing for a non-profit organization under a tight deadline. It’s not just about creativity; it’s about communication, problem-solving, and delivering meaningful results—skills that reflect what it’s really like to work in the design industry.

In addition to the competition, Alexis will participate in professional development sessions and network with top student creatives from across the U.S., gaining valuable experience and industry insight.

We’re incredibly proud of Alexis and can’t wait to see the amazing things she’ll accomplish next. Good luck in Dallas, Alexis—you’ve already made us proud!

We are thrilled to share that Isabel Cardenas was awarded the People’s Choice Award at this year’s IGNITE Showcase — and it’s a recognition well-deserved!

Isabel’s display stood out not only because of the high level of craftsmanship and effort in her work, but also because of the story it told. She brought her culture to life through design, using her projects as a way to share personal identity and creative expression. Each piece she showcased reflected careful thought, vibrant style, and a deep sense of purpose.

From eye-catching layouts to thoughtfully designed branding elements, Isabel’s presentation drew people in and left a lasting impression. Guests at Ignite were moved by her authenticity and inspired by the heart she poured into her work, which is exactly why she earned the People’s Choice title.

Congratulations, Isabel! Your voice, your culture, and your creativity made a big impact. We can’t wait to see where your design journey takes you next.

Congratulations to Kaelin Lamadrid, an Edmond North Senior, for taking the crown in this year’s Media Madness competition with her witty and creative piece, The Torment of Routh!

Kaelin’s artwork stands out not only for its vibrant comic book style but also for its clever and humorous take on fandom and everyday life. In her artist statement, Kaelin shares how her love for Brandon Routh, the 2006 Superman actor, inspired the piece. Instead of portraying a dreamy, dazzling celebrity encounter, she chose a hilariously relatable twist—imagining herself texting her favorite celebrity, only to be blocked after two messages.

Her comic book cover blends humor, self-love, and a nod to modern communication through messaging. She embraces her “ordinary” persona while giving her artistic alter ego, DubDan, the epic comic book treatment—complete with a playfully inconvenient price tag of three whole cents. Kaelin’s ability to mix personal narrative, pop culture, and comedic flair captured our community’s attention (and votes).

Media Madness is one of the most exciting times of the year for our Digital Media Design students, offering a chance to showcase their creativity and connect with the community. Thank you to everyone who voted for and supported our talented students, and again, a huge congratulations to Kaelin Lamadrid, this year’s Media Madness Champion!

Stay tuned for more incredible work from our talented students—there’s always more creativity to share!

We proudly announce our BPA Oklahoma State Leadership Conference (SLC) winners! Our students showcased their exceptional skills in desktop publishing, visual design, digital communications, and more, earning top honors in multiple events.

🏆 State Champions 🏆

🥇 1st Place – Advanced Desktop Publishing (S): Grayson Schlabach
🥇 1st Place – Fundamentals of Desktop Publishing (S): Madeline Wagner
🥇 1st Place – Fundamentals of Desktop Publishing (PS): Ari Hopkins

🥉 3rd Place Finishers 🥉

🥉 Visual Design Team (PS): Isabel Cardenas, Azavia Cherry, Elliott Garvin
🥉 Digital Communications and Design Concepts (PS): Elliott Garvin
🥉 Graphic Design Promotion (S): Grayson Schlabach

⭐ Top 8 Finalists ⭐

In addition to our champions, we had 13 more students finish in the Top 8 of their events—an incredible achievement!

• Fundamentals of Desktop Publishing (S): Molly Moore, Alexis Paul
• Fundamentals of Desktop Publishing (PS): Ava Lamb
• Advanced Desktop Publishing (S): Dylan Race, Anna Speight, Yauna Alderson
• Advanced Desktop Publishing (PS): Greyson Rose, Azavia Cherry, Elliott Garvin
• Digital Marketing Concepts (S): Alexis Paul
• Digital Marketing Concepts (PS): Greyson Rose
• Digital Communications and Design Concepts (S): Preston McIntire
• Broadcast News Production Team (S): Preston McIntire, Natalie Miller
• Computer Modeling (S): Ellie Kamler
• Project Management Concepts (PS): Elliott Garvin
• Digital Media Production (PS): Isabel Cardenas

This is an outstanding accomplishment for our students; we couldn’t be prouder of their dedication and creativity! Congratulations to all our winners and finalists—you represent our program with excellence! Best of luck to our 1st Place winners as they compete at Nationals in Orlando this May!

We are thrilled to announce that Kaelin Lamadrid and Kyndal Taylor, both talented Digital Media Design students from Edmond North High School, have qualified for the Adobe US National Championship! 🎉

Kaelin and Kyndal earned their spot in this prestigious competition by passing the Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) Photoshop Certification and submitting an incredible original design. Their creativity, dedication, and technical skills have paid off, and they will proudly represent Oklahoma and Francis Tuttle Technology Center at the national level this June.

The Adobe US National Championship will be held in Dallas, Texas, where Kaelin and Kyndal will take on a new challenge: designing digital collateral for a non-profit organization. This competition showcases the best and brightest digital designers across the country, and we couldn’t be prouder to see them take the stage and demonstrate their outstanding talent.

Kaelin and Kyndal’s journey reflects the hard work and passion we strive to inspire in all our students. They are a role model for their peers and a shining example of how dedication to your craft can lead to incredible opportunities.

Join us in wishing Kaelin and Kyndal the best of luck as they prepare to compete! We can’t wait to cheer them on as they represent Oklahoma and Francis Tuttle with creativity and pride.

Stay tuned for updates as we get closer to the competition in June. Go, Kaelin and Kyndal!