May 7, 2025 – KC Imagine recognized four students from Cedar Trails Exploration Center (CTEC) for winning the Visual Identity Challenge for 2025 Digital Media Academy Career Conference. These students took part in this challenge as part of their Graphic Design Workplace Experience course under the instruction of Mr. Travis Kohler.

Kohler, who teaches at CTEC and Mill Valley High School, shared:

“We had a talented group of students win this year’s KC Imagine Design Contest. I think they demonstrated outstanding teamwork, strong problem-solving skills, and a sharp eye for detail in their final design. It was impressive to see them craft a professional and well put together brand identity. I’m incredibly proud—not only of their win, but also of the fact that their work will be used in a real-world application. They will get to see their designs used in all the conferences branding materials.”

The students’ design will be used in all print and web-based publications related to the upcoming conference scheduled for October 7, 2025 at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center. This year’s design contest was open to high school students enrolled in any digital design course in the KC Metro area with the winning team receiving a $250 check sponsored by the Kansas City Art Institute. 2025 Digital Media Academy Career Conference flyer

Congratulations to these student designers!

^{Left to right: Travis Kohler, CTEC-CAPS Instructor; DHS Senior, Payton Speciale; MV Junior, McKinley Kendall; MV Junior, Prachi Kalirai; MV Junior, Caleb Hayes; and KC Imagine Executive Director, Ron Green.}