MTSU students collect gold ADDYs at Nashville, district competitions

Students in Middle Tennessee State University’s Department of Art and Design recently earned multiple honors at the Nashville American Advertising Awards and the American Advertising Federation District 7 ADDY Awards.

The students collected several Gold ADDYs, Judges’ Choice honors and the 2026 Rising Star of the Year award. At the Nashville ADDY Awards, MTSU students earned 10 total honors, including five Gold ADDYs, one Silver ADDY, three Judges’ Choice awards and the Rising Star of the Year award, which included a $500 scholarship.

Presented annually by the American Advertising Federation, the ADDY Awards recognize top creative work in advertising, branding, illustration, print and digital media. This year’s Nashville competition received 112 entries, with only 23 earning gold or silver recognition.

MTSU students accounted for 25% of all ADDYs awarded in the competition and earned three of the event’s six superlative honors, more than any other Nashville-area educational institution.

“These awards reflect the creativity, professionalism and dedication our students bring to their work every day,” said Department of Art and Design Chair Jimmy Mumford. “Our faculty continue to challenge students to think critically and produce professional-level work across a wide range of disciplines. We are proud to see their talent recognized throughout the region.”

Several Nashville-winning projects advanced to the AAF District 7 ADDY Awards, held May 15-16 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where student work from Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi competed at the regional level.

Among the district honorees was Lila Gordon, whose “Skullcrusher Skateboard Deck” earned a District Gold ADDY in the Illustration category after also receiving a Gold ADDY and Judges’ Choice award in Nashville.

The 2025-26 Nashville ADDY Award winners from MTSU included Sarah Kestila, who was named Rising Star of the Year. Gordon earned a Gold ADDY and Judges’ Choice honor in Illustration for “Skullcrusher Skateboard Deck.”

Kestila also earned a Gold ADDY in Integrated Brand Identity Campaign for “Yard Work.” Harleigh Butler, Anna Henderson and Katherine Wirey earned a Gold ADDY in Integrated Brand Identity Campaign for “Ingrained Exhibit Campaign.”

Sarah Kestila, Madison Eddins, Tonyara Wilson, Savannah Harden, Laney Smith and Luke Byrum earned a Gold ADDY in Special Event Materials for “The Lexiconian.” Miranda Pedigo earned a Gold ADDY and Judges’ Choice honor in Social Media Single Execution for “Beyond the Tape Social Media Art.”

Taylor Lowrance earned a Silver ADDY and Judges’ Choice honor in Product or Service Sales Promotion Packaging for “Infernal Indulgence Chocolates.”

At the 2025-26 District 7 ADDY Awards, Gordon earned Gold in Illustration for “Skullcrusher Skateboard Deck.”

District ADDY Gold winners advance to the national American Advertising Awards competition, the final tier of the American Advertising Federation’s three-stage competition recognizing creative excellence in advertising and design.