AWARD School announces state finalists in the running for 2025 national top student award
The Australasian Writers and Art Directors (AWARD) has announced the state finalists vying to become AWARD School’s national top student in 2025.
Mathilda Grinling (NSW), Tate Crowley (VIC), Amelia Fynes-Clinton (QLD), Hayley Riessen (SA), Brendan Marshall (WA), and James Willis (Online) were honoured at graduation events held nationwide last night, each receiving the coveted AWARD School Gold Pencil in recognition of their standout creative portfolios.
Says Sharon Edmondston, AWARD School National and NSW Co-Head: “These six finalists have delivered work that’s smart, original, and packed with creative potential. To stand out from more than 200 students across APAC takes guts, ambition, and relentless thinking, and every one of them has earned their spot.”
Each finalist’s work will now be reviewed by an international Super Jury, with the national top student to be announced at the 46th AWARD Awards on August 14 at This Way Up, Australia’s festival of creativity, in Sydney.
Says Scott Dettrick, AWARD School National and NSW Co-Head: “We’re incredibly proud of this year’s cohort. The calibre of work produced in just 12 weeks has been phenomenal, and it’s thanks to the tireless support of our tutors, mentors, speakers and judges who give their time and wisdom so generously.
“AWARD School doesn’t just teach creativity, it creates a pipeline of thinkers ready to shape the future of the industry. We can’t wait to see who from this group wins AWARD School 2025, and what everyone goes on to achieve next.”
Supporters of this year’s AWARD School program are Meta, Commercial Radio and Audio (CRA) and Outdoor Media Association (OMA).
AWARD School 2025: top students per state
NEW SOUTH WALES
Top students
1. Mathilda Grinling – Gold Pencil
2. Keiron Lewis
3. Jordan Watton
Top 10 (in alphabetical order)
Cassandra Wait Hughes
Christina Aliferis
Lucy Gavan
Michelle Tanner
Sophie Klem
Thomas Waddell
Zac Robertson
Team Brief winners: Mina Melis & Zeeshan Ali Khan
VICTORIA
Top students
1. Tate Crowley – Gold Pencil (pictured above)
2. Tom Habal
3. Gemma Rio
Top 10 (in alphabetical order)
Adam Fridman
Bethia Connolly
Darcy Keely
Nick Buratto
Noah Thompson
Priscilla Cooper
Tony King
Team Brief winners: Sally Kingsford & Wieke Willemsen
QUEENSLAND
Top students
1. Amelia Fynes-Clinton – Gold Pencil
2. Quinn Beaulieu
3. Ashleigh Hockings
Team Brief winners: Ashleigh Hockings & Sammara Woolrich
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Top students
1. Hayley Riessen – Gold Pencil (above left)
2. Jaidan Juanta
Team Brief winners: Hayley Riessen & Benjamin Anstey
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Top students
1. Brendan Marshall – Gold Pencil (above right)
2. Robert Nowland (left)
3. Aisha Runowanda (centre)
Team Brief winners: Brendan Marshall & Aisha Runowanda
ONLINE PROGRAM
Top students
1. James Willis – Gold Pencil
2. Sarah Newbery and Thomas Barton (tie for second place)
Team Brief winners: Veronica Yudhistantra & Richard Roach
Top Tutor Agencies
NEW SOUTH WALES
Leo Burnett
The General Store – highly commended
M+C Saatchi – highly commended
VICTORIA
Dentsu Creative
Fenton Stephens
Town Square – highly commended
Clemenger BBDO – highly commended
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