SOWELA Students Placed on Two of the Three Winning Teams
Lake Charles, Louisiana – November 12, 2025
Six students from SOWELA Technical Community College’s Digital Arts and Communication program recently showcased their creativity and talent at the Houston American Advertising Federation (AAF) Student Conference, where two of them earned top honors. Christian Ramirez’s team took third place, while Lily Hebert’s team earned second place, placing SOWELA on two of the three winning teams.
During the fast-paced competition, students were mixed into teams of eight with peers from more than 20 universities across Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. Each team was assigned the same corporate sponsor and challenged to create a comprehensive advertising campaign, encompassing creative concepts, marketing strategies, and media plans, all within a seven-hour timeframe.
The event provided students with a real-world taste of agency life, with each member stepping into roles such as Art Director, Copywriter, Account Executive and Media Strategist.
Representing SOWELA were Mattie Stark, Sofia Castilla, Shelby Stone, Lily Hebert, Christian Ramirez, and Nicholas Daigle, joined by instructors Darrell Buck and Erik Jessen.
“It’s always exciting to take part in a competition like this and watch our students shine alongside those from four-year universities,” said Darrell Buck, Digital Arts and Communication Instructor. “Their success really shows the strength of our program and how talented our students are.”
The experience was not only a test of creativity under pressure but also a valuable opportunity for students to collaborate with peers from across the region, learning how to turn ideas into impactful campaigns under tight deadlines. Their achievements reflect both their individual dedication and the strength of SOWELA’s Digital Arts and Communication program.
For more information about SOWELA’s Digital Arts and Communication program, visit www.sowela.edu/digital-arts. Registration for Spring 2026 is now open, with scholarships and financial aid available to those who qualify.
For the eighth time in nine years, WalletHub ranked SOWELA as Louisiana’s #1 community college, recognizing its excellence in affordability, education outcomes and career readiness.
About SOWELA Technical Community College
SOWELA Technical Community College offers dynamic instruction and practical learning opportunities that prepare students to seamlessly transfer or to excel in today’s workforce. For more information, visit www.sowela.edu.